Roger Noel Capettini

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University of Miami

Roger Capettini Obituary

Roger Noel Capettini, 79, of Boynton Beach, died in his sleep Dec 22, 2021, following a brief decline in health.

Born in Jersey City, NJ, Roger grew up in Newark Valley, NY, and eventually became a semi-native of South Florida. Following his graduation from the University of Miami, Roger served in the US Army as a public affairs journalist. This launched a long and illustrious career in journalism as a reporter and editor. He worked for the Arlington Heights (IL) Daily Herald, Fort Lauderdale News, Sun-Sentinel, National Enquirer, Country Weekly Magazine and American Media. Always known for his demand for details and accuracy, he was a mentor to many young reporters and editors, especially at the Sun-Sentinel where he had the opportunity to help launch the careers of many young journalists that he hired.

He had a passion for everything he did and expressed it with his inimitable Italian style, whether it was rooting for the Miami Hurricanes, golfing, or talking politics. He also took an interest in real estate and became a broker and owner of Hawk Realty at Bay Colony in the '80s. In his retirement years he returned to real estate sales in Palm Beach County.

Roger is survived by his wife, Susan McGee; daughters Coral Cashes of Sanford, FL, and Crystal Capettini of Asheville, NC; stepdaughters Janine Schwager of South Florida and Deborah Nicklaus of Mims, FL; grandchildren Dekker, Gianna, Scarlet & Jenica; brother John Capettini of Geneva, IL; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Laurie and Chris Giardino of Woodstock, GA; and a loving bunch of nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Noel Capettini and Julia Minucci, and brothers Dennis McKernan and David Capettini.

A Celebration of Life for Roger is being planned for 2022 at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth. Friends who would like to attend may email [email protected] for details when they're available.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Sun-Sentinel on Dec. 28, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Roger Capettini

6 Entries

James Mahoney

February 13, 2023

Sp5 Capettini came to mind today for no apparent reason as I read my morning paper, so on a whim, I searched his name to see what would come up. The disappointment that I hadn't done it earlier and had the opportunity to give him a "blast out of the past" was quickly replaced by a warm smile to read his joy in life evident in the obituary.

Roger was my journalism instructor at the Defense Information School in 1968. Although my heritage is very predominantly Italian, my Irish surname led to near daily "ethnic" banter with him at a time when that wasn't so taboo. One memorable example:

The classroom had a podium with a holder that the instructor would slide his nameplate into when he arrived for the class. I made up a new nameplate for Roger that I surreptitiously slipped into place: "Sp5 O'Capettini". He was amused, though less so than I was.

Over the course of 10 weeks, Roger turned me into a journalist (as he did for hundreds of others), a career path that never would have occurred to me otherwise. The grounding in "get it fast, get it straight and get it out" he gave me with his stringent demand for journalistic integrity was the foundation for both my Air Force and my civilian careers. Though I quickly shifted from journalism to a career in marketing communications, his bedrock instruction on interviewing, structure and accuracy was indispensable throughout my career.

To his family and friends who enjoyed his company much, much longer than I did, here's one more person whose time with Roger had an outsized effect in the decades that followed. He was a good and funny guy.

Marvin A Davis

January 1, 2022

People like Roger are to be cherished and remembered. Showing unselfish love and concern for others is one of the highest achievements of man. The greatest man who ever lived said the second greatest commandment is: "You must love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39. Words of Jesus Christ).

Tracy Enos

December 29, 2021

Sending my love to Coral, Crystal & family during this difficult time. May you all find comfort in his memory.

Barbara Smith-Gay

December 28, 2021

Love the tributes to my darling friend, Roger. He was all of that! I will always remember you. Especially your warm happy smile. Rest in peace my dear friend. I will always remember "the smile you left with me."

Dan Norman

December 28, 2021

Roger was an excellent journalist and an even better person. The world is a poorer place without his great smile!

Jack Brennan

December 27, 2021

I was so sad to hear of Roger's passing.

He hired me in 1977 out of the City News Bureau of Chicago and spawned one of my favorite newspaper stories.

I had been recommended by a friend, Price Patton, who was already at the Sun-Sentinel. I sent off clips and a resume to Roger, then called him one evening from a pay phone after I got off work to make sure they had arrived.

I was feeding quarters into the phone and somewhat surprised when Roger started interviewing me right there. I said, "Mr. Capettini, I don't think it's a good idea to have this interview right now. I'm standing at a pay phone in a bar."

Roger's response: "It sounds like you'll fit right in." He talked to me for 15 more minutes and offered me a job as my quarters started running now.

It was a life-changing decision for me on Roger's part. I worked at the S-S for 31 years, met my future wife and a load of lifelong friends, had an interesting career and retired comfortably at 55 because of all the stock Tribune Co. gave us.

He left the S-S after a couple of years, and I would run into him occasionally around South Florida. He always remembered my name and gave me a warm hello and smile. He once told me his niche on the Enquirer was that he was the only nice guy on the staff!

It's always sad when someone passes on, but less so when you understand the person had a life well-lived. As far as I can see, Roger fit that definition.

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