Charles Capon

KITTERY POINT, Maine — Charles Kendrick Capon, age 79, of Mitchell School Lane, Kittery Point, Maine, passed away Sept. 29 at York Hospital, York, Maine, surrounded by family. In recent months his health had been compromised by multiple myeloma, although he lived a very active life until his last few days.

Ken was born Oct. 5, 1929 in Boston to Charles Reginald Capon and Ruth Jarvis Small. He was raised in Sudbury, Mass., and educated at Fenn School, Concord, Mass., Suffield Academy, Suffield, Conn., and Lenox School, Lenox, Mass. He then served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Coast Guard as a relief lighthouse keeper from Cape Ann, Mass., to Portland Head, Maine. In recent years, various clubs and societies have called upon him to speak of those experiences, and most recently he was filmed by Lighthouse Production Films and Entertainment for a lighthouse video in which he described his experiences on Boon Island.

Following his service he entered college, and was awarded an Associates Degree from Boston University and Bachelors and Masters in Education from Keene State College in New Hampshire. His thesis was "The French and Indian Wars in New Hampshire." He also attended Bangor Theological Seminary and maintained a strong Christian faith throughout his life. For many years he was a lay minister, choir member and Sunday school teacher at All Saints Episcopal Church, Peterborough, N.H. Locally, he was a member of St. John's in Portsmouth, and St. George's and Trinity Church in York Harbor. He was a Mason.

Ken's principal occupation was teacher, primarily of history, English and sociology, and of all subjects on a primary level. He taught in both public and private schools in the United States and abroad. His first assignment was in Hollis, N.H., followed by teaching principal positions in Wentworth and Hancock, N.H. He then became history department head at Conant in Jaffrey, N.H. for eight years, followed by teaching at Braidhurst High School, Motherwell, Scotland and High Mowing School, Wilton, N.H. His last position prior to leaving teaching for 14 years, was at Somersworth Middle School. He returned to teaching from 1993-96 at Cardigan Mountain School, Canaan, N.H., where he was also a dorm master. Many students from all his teaching experiences have kept in touch describing him as, "the best teacher I ever had." Often he was also a mentor and surrogate father. At Berwick Academy, South Berwick, Maine and St. George's School, Newport, R.I., he served on the parents' committees, and on the school board in Chesham, N.H.

Being versatile, Ken also worked in real estate, for six years as a sales representative with ARA Coffee Systems, where he received many sales awards, in vocational rehabilitation, adult education and as manager of tack and grain stores and of a textile mill department. In his semi-retirement with his soft heart, big smile and enthusiastic approach, he successfully raised funds for the Salvation Army, Portsmouth, primarily at the circle liquor store. While residing in Hancock, N.H., he was Overseer of Public Welfare and Health Officer.

In his last few years, Ken began his days socializing at Frisbee's Market, Kittery Point, or Bailey's Market, Sanibel Island, Fla., the latter as a member of the "bench buddies." He spent his winters on Sanibel, where he used a bicycle for transportation. In Kittery, Ken was one of the original members of the Adopt-A-Road Program, so for 12 years had been keeping two miles of roads "litter free." He was a member of The Kittery Art Association, Land Trust, Historical and Naval Society, and friend and frequent user of Rice Public Library. With his wife, Sue, he donated the large round window from the original Mitchell School to be incorporated into the most recent addition. They traveled to Costa Rica, the Maldives and many locales in the U.S., a favorite being Monhegan Island, Maine, at times with family, and enjoyed cultural events, art, antiques and dinners out with friends.

Often described as a true intellectual, Ken read widely, though history was a particular interest, and he was a lover of classical music, especially Handel. A conversation with him was never dull as he did not hesitate to discuss politics or religion or embellish a tale. As a natural counselor, he touched many through encouragement and inspiration. He had a quick sense of humor, which he retained even in illness, and a hearty laugh which filled a room. As a strong, independent Yankee, he arose from serious illness more than once to go on living fully for years or months. He was chief cook in the family and awakened thinking of the next interesting meal to prepare. Family and his British ancestry were important to him.

The loss of this warm, generous and charming gentleman will leave a big gap in the lives of all who knew him.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 31 years, Susan Emery; daughters, Victoria Capon of Phoenix, Ariz., and Abigail Capon of Concord, N.H.; sons, Dana Kendrick of Worcester, Vt., and Trevor Capon and wife, Caroline, of Charlestown, Mass.; grandchildren, Bronwen Williamson of Gorham, Maine, Dylan Eliot of Burlington, Vt., and Josie Kendrick of Sheldon Springs, Vt., as well as nieces, a nephew, and close friends.

He was predeceased by his sister, Charlotte Twitchell of Las Vegas, Nev.



A memorial service will be held at a later date at All Saints Episcopal Church in Peterborough, N.H. Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 15 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801.

Condolences for the Capon family may be expressed online at www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com.

Visit the online guest book at www.fosters.com/obits