Dean LaCapria

Dean "Dino" LaCapria, a respected prosthetics specialist, university instructor, fine woodworking craftsman and small business owner died January 14 in Riverside, CA. He was 56.

Raised in Fullerton, CA, Dino founded Orange Coast Prosthetics, Inc. and co-founded LimbCraft, Inc.. Deeply committed to education, he taught students at CSU Dominguez Hills, Northwestern University and Azusa Pacific University, and served practitioners nationwide as a lecturer of professional-level courses. Dino earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Kinesiology from Chapman University and completed the graduate certificate program in prosthetics at CSU Dominguez Hills. From 1989 to 1992, he studied Animal Science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

A lifelong dog lover, he enjoyed playing acoustic guitar, swimming, body surfing, mountain biking, motorcycle riding and camping. He and his family had been members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Orange.

Dino is survived by sons Oliver and Simon LaCapria; former wife Charmaine LaCapria; parents Mary and Paul LaCapria; siblings Bridget Melanson, Matthew LaCapria, Saria Kraft, Kim Blanc, Anna Gamboa, David Gamboa, Paul Gamboa; and his nieces and nephews.

A memorial reception was held January 24 at the family home in Orange. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dino's memory may be made to Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County (casaoc.org), a nonprofit that assists children in the adoption/foster care system, or to Limbs for Life, a charity devoted to helping those in need afford prosthetic limbs (limbsforlife.org). Dino is truly missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.