Anthony 'Nino' Capitti
Army veteran, dedicated member of the Kearny community
Anthony Capitti, "Nino," 86, passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2019, in Spring Grove Healthcare Center, New Providence, N.J.
The funeral will be from the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, N.J., on Wednesday, July 3, at 10 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Stephen's Church, Kearny, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, N.J. Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 2, from 4 to 8 p.m. Joseph E. Frobisher Post 99, American Legion service is Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Mr. Capitti was born in Kearny and was a lifelong resident. He served in the United States Army from 1956 until 1958.
He was a carpenter for Hartz Mountain Industries in Secaucus, N.J., for many years before his retirement. Anthony also worked as a door and funeral attendant for the Edward T. Reid Home for Funerals and, later, the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home.
The Town of Kearny was an important part of his life. Mayor Alberto G. Santos appointed Anthony the deputy mayor of Kearny in 2012. He served on the Construction Board of Appeals as well as the Zoning Board and was also a member of the Hudson County Improvement Authority. He was a member of Kearny UNICO and was named Kearny Veteran of the Year. He was also a past commander of the United Veterans Organization. Anthony was an usher at 12 noon Mass on Sundays at St. Stephen's Church.
On any given day one could see Anthony's car parked in the same parking spot in the parking lot of the Joseph E. Frobisher Post 99, American Legion on Belgrove Drive. While serving as post commander, he spearheaded negotiations with T Mobil Corporation that resulted in the placement of a cellular communication tower adjacent to the Post. The cell tower presents as a flag pole rising high into the sky. Before the start of youth sporting events at Veteran's Field across the street, athletes and spectators alike often turn and face the flag during the playing of the National Anthem. Anthony was very proud of that. He also enjoyed interviewing Kearny boys and girls for Boys State and Girls State; a summer leadership program sponsored by the American Legion.
Anthony is survived by his daughters, Mrs. Lisa Buckley and her husband, Andrew, of New Providence, N.J., and the Honorable Linda Capitti of New York, N.Y. He was the brother of Nancy Andolena and the grandfather of Giulia Buckley.
He was predeceased by his wife, Geraldine (nee Ross) Capitti, and his daughter, Lori Ann Burton.