Angelo Capos

October 16, 1920 - January 25, 2014

Angelo J. Capos died at home Saturday morning, January 25, 2014.

Born in Port Angeles, he was the fourth son of John Nicholas Capos and Stavrula (Antipa) Capos.

As a boy, Angie (as he was affectionately known) sold papers for the Seattle Star and, along with his downtown Port Angeles customers, dearly loved selling to the sailors during the Pacific Fleet's annual sojourn in Port Angeles Harbor.

One day, he came home to announce excitedly that there was a soda fountain aboard the carrier Saratoga.

In high school, Angie participated in all the sports: football, basketball, baseball, swimming and diving. He also worked part time for Crown Zellerbach.

On weekends, he joined the crowd at Clyde's dance hall, where he met his future wife, Bernadette Goerg (Begee). A buddy dared him to ask her to dance; she was one of the top dancers at Clyde's.

Eventually, they became a duo, and the crowd often cleared a space around them to watch their fancy steps.

After graduating from Roosevelt High, Angie headed for San Francisco, California, to explore big league baseball. He was introduced to the Seals manager and given a tryout. He was on his way to a baseball career when Pearl Harbor happened.

He joined the Navy and was assigned to the cargo attack ship USS Fomalhaut. It carried troops to various battles throughout the South Pacific, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and the Philippine campaign.

After the war, Angie headed for San Diego, California, to resume a baseball career. Unexpectedly meeting Begee at a dance changed things when they decided to get married and run a bar catering to the Navy.

After 17 years, they sold their business and moved to San Francisco, where they bought a cocktail lounge, Baron's on Powell Street, where the cable cars ding their way up and down the hill. Baron's became the first stop for many Port Angeles visitors to San Francisco.

When Angie and Begee retired in 1991 and sold their lounge in San Francisco, they returned home to Port Angeles. Angie joined a model airplane club. He built several intricate models and flew some of them by remote control at William R. Fairchild International Airport.

Angie was a member of the Elks Club and the Eagles Club, and a lifetime member of the American Legion, as well as the Marines' Memorial Club in San Francisco. He was also a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Angelo is survived by his brother, Peter J. Capos, and his sister, Athena (Tina) Capos of Port Angeles; and his nephews, Steven Colompos of Chicago, Illinois, and Drs. John Karl Capos and Nicholas Capos Jr., both of California.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Bernadette; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Capos; sister Effie Capos Colompos; as well as his brothers, Dr. Nicholas Capos and Jerry Capos.

Funeral arrangements are by Harper-Ridgeview Funeral Chapel, with services to be held at 105 West Fourth Street, Port Angeles, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 5.

Contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) or to American Parkinson Disease Association Incorporated, Parkinson Plaza, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305-1946.