John Anthony Cappadona, Sr. |
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October 1. 2009 John Anthony Cappadona, Sr., was born to Fred Joseph Cappadona, Sr. and Gladys Cecile "Fuzzy" Cappadona on November 21, 1946, in Galveston, Texas and passed into eternal rest on Sunday evening, September 27, 2009, at Christus St. John Hospital in Nassau Bay, Texas with his wife of 31 years at his side.
John was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed many fish stories with his family and friends. John loved a good joke and enjoyed making others laugh as well. He loved his family and loved teaching his sons, and now his grandchildren the art of reeling in the big one or bringing home the trophy buck, or as his oldest grandson, J. T. says, "The Muey Grande".
John attended catholic school at St. Patrick's and Kirwin in Galveston and St Mary's University in San Antonio. He also attended Allen Military Academy in Bryan, Texas. While attending college, he was drafted during the Viet Nam War and was sent to Germany. He received his Honorable Discharge from the Army in 1972.
After returning home, he began working at the Galveston County Sheriff's Office. He soon became very skilled at his craft as an Identification Officer. He was a highly respected crime scene photographer and finger print expert. He was also a deputy medical examiner for Galveston County during this time. He taught crime scene photography at College of the Mainland and Alvin Junior College and rose through the ranks of the Sheriff's Dept. to a Lieutenant. He retired in December 1996, but shortly after his retirement he realized just how hard it is to stop being a cop, you can't, or at least he couldn't. In 1997 and 1998, he worked for the Texas Department of Corrections, Tiki Island Police Dept and San Jacinto College Police. In March 1999, he went to work for the Port of Galveston Police Dept. where he quickly rose to the position of Police Captain and has overseen the Port's growth over the past ten years under Police Chief, Jim Thompson.
John was diligent in securing the Port's property and officers prior to Hurricane Ike's landfall while temporarily acting as the Port's Chief. John was also a first responder immediately after Ike's destructive arrival and departure. He was diagnosed with lung cancer just 4 days after Hurricane Ike and his recovery required him to take off for several months. In April of this year, he was able to return to work and immediately began taking some of those lessons learned in the early days following Ike to develop a First Responder Fully Self Contained unit for the Port of Galveston. This project was just being completed at the time of his death. He was very proud of this and other accomplishments.
John was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Gladys Cappadona, his baby sister, Mary Francis, and his father-in-law, John R Gardner, Sr.
Left saddened by this loss, but worshiping his memories are his wife, Cindy; his sons and their wives John Anthony, Jr., and wife, Candice, Anthony Paul and wife Tiffany, and his youngest son, Cody Alan Cappadona; his 6 grandchildren Taiylor, Madison, Lexi, J.T., Aaron, and Austin Cappadona. He is also survived by 2 brothers and their wives, Fred Joseph Cappadona, Jr. and wife Josie of Linn, Texas and Joseph Paul Cappadona and wife Cynthia of Galveston; his mother in law Shirley Ueckert of Medford, Oregon; sisters and brothers in law, Terrie Gardner of Galveston, Debbie Tossie (Don) of Medford, Oregon, John Gardner, Jr. (Barb) of Santa Fe, Texas, Tommy Gardner (Linda) of Hitchcock, Texas, Vicki Isaacks (Darrell) of Galveston, Texas and Traci Beleski (Jeff) of Texas City, Texas. He will be missed by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends as well.
Pallbearers will be John Vykukal, John Pannell, Ric Ostermayer, Jason Gardner, Lee Gardner and Shawn Gardner. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Port of Galveston Police Dept., Galveston County Sheriff's Dept, and other surrounding police agencies and brothers in arms.
Funeral Celebration will be Friday morning at 10 a.m. also at the funeral home with burial to follow at Grace Memorial Park in Hitchcock, Texas.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to John's sister in law, Barbara Gardner for her compassionate care during his final days, his brother in law, John Gardner, Jr. for all of his help, and special nieces, Amber and Ashley Gardner for making him smile when it wasn't always easy and his niece, Jenna Cappadona-Hawkins for all of her loving care and support for him and us during these past weeks.
Condolences may be emailed to the family at: obits@ carnesfuneralhome.com
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Carnes Funeral Home-Texas City |
