Raymond M. Cappelli
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Raymond M. Cappelli, 89, of Washington, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 19, 2017, in Washington Hospital surrounded by his family.
He was born November 2, 1928, in Canonsburg, a son of the late Michael and Nellie Cornell Cappelli of Washington. On June 25, 1955, he married Gabriella Roba, who died in 2013.
Mr. Cappelli was a graduate of Washington High School and University of Pittsburgh. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. He owned and operated the family’s business, Washington Distributing Company, prior to his retirement.
While at the University of Pittsburgh, he lettered in wrestling from 1949 to 1951 and also served as captain of the wrestling team. He was an active supporter and volunteer of Pitt athletics for more than 25 years. He was a member of Golden Panther Board from 1983 to 1995. He was a president of Golden Panther Club’s Washington chapter. He was a president of Safari Club International and was a very active member of Brownson House, serving as chairman of the capital campaign for the Vernon Neal Sports Complex.
Mr. Cappelli has been honored by numerous organizations for his outstanding service, including Golden Panther Club’s Washington Chapter Member of the Year, as well as being a member of Safari Club International Hall of Fame. He earned a Distinguished Citizen Award by the Italian American Society of Washington County. He received a Pitt Varsity Letter Club Award of Distinction and he was a recipient of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame Award in wrestling.
He was an active member of St. Hilary Church in Washington, where he chaired the church’s finance committee and was awarded St. Hilary’s Man of the Year Award.
He was noted for his fundraising ability to assist in the growth and development of various community services. His interest in hunting had taken him all over the world. He also enjoyed golf and was a charter member of the Lone Pine Golf Club. He was an avid fan of Pitt football, basketball and wrestling.
He will always be remembered for his outgoing personality, positive attitude and love of family.
Surviving are his children, Raymond M. Cappelli II (Judi Grande) of Canonsburg, Carolyn (Dennis) Schwerzler of Woodstock, Ga., Lesley Cappelli of Burnsville, Minn., James M. (Suzanne) Cappelli of Washington; a sister, Patricia (Marvin) Watson of Washington; brother-in-law Arthur Luba of Washington; seven grandchildren, Patrick and Sydney Sweeny, Carly and Michael Cappelli, Natalie, Alayna and Claudia Cappelli; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Kathryn Elizabeth Luba.
Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Home, 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 23, in St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church, 320 Henderson Avenue, Washington, with Father Robert Staszewski as celebrant. Entombment will follow in Queen of Heaven Mausoleum. Military honors will be accorded by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brownson House, 1415 Jefferson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.