Michael Joseph Caponigro entered into eternal rest on December 27, 2025 surrounded by the everlasting love of his family.
Michael was born on January 11, 1938 in Bangor, PA to Louise (Faraldo) and Michael Caponigro.
Growing up, he was an altar boy, attended Pius X high school where he played football, and graduated as Salutatorian in the first graduating class.
Grandson of Italian immigrants and son of parents that epitomized the greatest generation, Michael was the first member of his family to go to college and graduated in 1960 with a degree in Civil Engineering from Penn State University.
Michael immediately started working with American Water Works. He began his career working in the field and advanced to corporate officer and executive management roles over the course of the next 40 years, most notably serving as VP of Operations for the American System in the corporate office. Michael was thrilled to end his career as Manager of the Pennsylvania Water Company-Northeast District - the largest water company acquisition in the United States - which brought him back to his roots in Northeast Pennsylvania. He took great pride that he worked with such incredible people, and was as respected by crews in the field as he was by the CEO and Board members.
In December 1966, Michael went on a blind date and met the love of his life, Marlene (Baran) from Hazleton, PA. They wasted no time embracing happiness and were married on September 9, 1967 and have spent the last 58 years building an incredible life together, calling New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania home. With 3 loving children and their spouses and 8 grandchildren, their journey in life is rooted in the blessing of faith and support of family. Not a day went by that Michael wasn’t grateful for his wife and everything in his life. Similarly, his children are eternally grateful for the front row seat they had to the "greatest love story ever written".
There have been countless trips to Notre Dame football games, endless discussions of the Yankees lineup, traveling around the country and world to visit children and attend special events, everyday moments to cherish just being together, or even just talking on the phone.
Michael was a true man of God. He was a kind, gentle soul who was always ready to share a word of sage advice, a joke, or a hug. His love was unconditonal for friends and family alike and his generosity of spirit and faith kept his family rooted in what is important in life…each other. He lived by the creed "remember who you are and who you represent" to forever honor those before him and to set a bar for those blessed to carry his legacy. He wore the titles son, brother, husband, father, cousin, uncle, and friend with pride and honor. His family will forever carry him in their heart.
Michael is survived by his beautiful wife, Marlene; children and their spouses, Michael and Katie (Burlingame, CA), Beth and Neil Buckley (Hoboken, NJ), Jennifer and Matt McConnell (Carlsbad, CA); and 8 adoring grandchildren, Shay, Nicholas, James, Maggie, Emme, Ava, Lucia, and Cappy; and brother-in-law Dominick Labate.
He is preceded in death by his parents, loving sisters, Jane and Rose, and brother-in-law John LaValva as well as Marlene’s parents, Nicholas and Anna, and brother-in-law, Nicky.
May he rest in peace for all eternity in paradise.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, 10 AM, Friday, January 9, 2026, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 410 W. Center Street, Nazareth, PA. There will be a visitation beginning at 9 AM until time of Mass at the Church. Burial will be in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel New Catholic Cemetery, Roseto, PA. The Ruggiero Funeral Home, LLC is in charge of arrangements.
Online Condolences may be offered at www.ruggierofuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Michael to Family Pillars Hospice in support of the wonderful care they provide. Checks can be sent to Family Pillars, 3910 Adler Place - Suite 130, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
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