Harold "Happy Trails" Kapper

Harold "Happy Trails" Kapper

Jackson

Harold "Happy Trails" Kapper, peacefully departed this life on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Harold was born Dec. 13, 1928 in his beloved city of Newark to Amanda Rodewald and Peter Oscar Kapper. He attended East Side High School, where he played both football and baseball, later playing semi-pro baseball as a pitcher. Harold remained friends throughout his life with many of his kindergarten and neighborhood pals. Following in his father's footsteps, Harold worked for P. Ballantine and Sons before joining the U.S. Army in 1951, 505 AAA Gun Battalion. After his honorable discharge as a corporal, Harold continued to work for P. Ballantine and Sons, then Anheuser Busch before retiring in 1990. Harold married the love of his life, Monica Ferreira in 1957, moving to Colonia where they raised their family. Harold was a Merrill Park Baseball League coach for his son, Glenn for many years, inspiring many young ball players along the way. Harold and Monica moved to Hampton before settling in Westlake at Jackson where they made many treasured friends. A lifelong fan of Roy Rogers, Harold always had a smile and a "Happy Trails" for everyone he met. He truly succeeded in living his life by Roy's Rules of caring and honesty.

Harold was predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Monica, in March 2011. Harold leaves behind to cherish his memories and forever hold him in our hearts his children and grandchildren, Kathleen and Michael Gerrity and their children, Michael, Alana and Monika; Donna and Michael Alfieri and their children, Anthony, Victor and Brielle; and Glenn and Karen Kapper and their children, Kelly and Glenn Thomas; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Teresa and Herb Theiss; his dear cousin, Carol Rusnak; dear friends, Ann and Carl Bellero and Nina Kazhadub, all whom helped all of us in so many heartfelt ways.

The family would like to thank Meridian Hospice for their kind support.

At the request of the family, funeral arrangements are private and under the direction of the George S. Hassler Funeral Home, Jackson. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Harold to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, 115 Broadway, Suite 1301, New York, NY 10006, www.lymphoma.org, and would greatly be appreciated. For further information, please visit hasslerfuneralhome.com.