John V. Cappelletti

John V. Cappelletti, 96, of Syracuse, NY, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at the VA Medical Center. He was born in Syracuse on May 1, 1920 to the late Filomeno and Mary Frances (Posato) Cappelletti. John grew up on the Northside of Syracuse and was a star athlete at an early age, pitching for the State and Eastern US American Legion championship baseball team, the Markson Jrs., in 1935. Upon graduating from North High, he was recruited to play baseball for the Syracuse Chiefs. He once played against Babe Ruth in an exhibition game at MacArthur Stadium (then Municipal Stadium) when Ruth, then coach of the Brooklyn Dodgers, put himself in the lineup. John served two years in WWII in the 325th Glider Infantry of the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and other combat missions. Upon returning from his tour of duty in 1945, he married his beloved, Mary Romano. John worked over thirty years as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. He was a generous and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. John was predeceased by his wife, Mary J. (Romano) Cappelletti in 2004; his daughter, Mary Frances Nolan; brothers, Nicholas (Muriel) Cappelletti, Lawrence (Alice) Cappelletti, Cosmo (Gloria) Cappelletti, Jack (Vera) Cappelletti, and Thomas (Mary) Cappelletti; sisters, Loretta Cappelletti, Anna (Tony) Nappi, and Stella (Richard) Lansing; in-laws, Richard Luteran and Dominick DeRegis. John is survived by his daughter, Camille Luteran of Cicero, NY; four grandchildren, Carrie Luteran, David Luteran, Danielle Nolan, and Brendan Nolan; one brother, Frank (Joan) Cappelletti; two sisters, Dolly (Peter) Asterino and Josephine DeRegis, along with many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 8:00 AM on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, followed by a Funeral Mass in celebration of John’s life at 9:00 AM in St. Daniel’s Church. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the funeral home, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clear Path for Veterans, The Fund Development Department, 1223 Salt Springs Rd., Chittenango, NY 13037 or visit www.clearpath4vets.com/donate

John V. Cappelletti

May 1, 1920 - October 9, 2016