Gifford Robert Cappellini Esq

1952 - 2021

Gifford Robert Cappellini, Esq., 69, of Hanover Twp., with his family by his side, passed into eternal rest on Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, while in the care of the Residential Hospice-Geisinger South Hospital.

Born in Wilkes-Barre on May 19,1952, he was the first child of Judge Gifford S. Cappellini and his wife, Dorothy Jallo Cappellini.

Gifford grew up in Wilkes-Barre living on Academy Street and enjoyed time as a child and young man at Harveys Lake with his grandfather, Rinaldo Cappellini and grandmother, Marie Evan Cappellini and learned of his coal mining ties to the Wyoming Valley. He attended Wilkes-Barre schools and was a graduate of E.L. Meyers High School, Class of 1970. Gifford continued his education at Wilkes University and graduated with a B.A. in political science. While in college, at the age of 19, he was appointed by the president of the United States to a position on the Luzerne County Draft Board. He also was elected to the nonpartisan position of Government Study Commission for Luzerne County, becoming one of the youngest people to be elected to office in Pennsylvania history. He then pursued his law degree at the current Penn State Dickinson College, Carlisle.

After passing the state bar exam, he opened his own practice in Harveys Lake and the Back Mountain area. Gifford specialized in black lung claims, child custody, divorce, collections, domestic relations, guardianship of persons and estates, personal injury, social security claims, workmen's compensation claims, wills and estates and appeals in both state and federal cases.

Gifford was given special privileges in guardianship cases to practice in Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, New York, Illinois, New Mexico and Michigan.

Gifford loved music. In his youth, he attended Woodstock with his friends. His favorite was The Moody Blues song, "To Our Children's Children's Children." He loved history and watching the History Channel. He would bring forth historic details during conversations and fascinate people with his knowledge of the past. Every fall weekend he was rooting for the Nittany Lions of Penn State and the Philadelphia Eagles.

After a divorce of his first marriage, Gifford found love again when he went on a date with a close friend, the former Valerie Michael. On May 15, 2003, the couple was married by Gifford's father, Judge Cappellini. Together they resided in the Hanover Twp. area for the past 18 years. Gifford had close ties with his children and grandchildren. He was the peacemaker in the family, a good soul who loved just to be with others, including his dogs the "B Team" - his beloved Buttons and Buttercup.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Judge Gifford S. Cappellini and Dorothy Cappellini.

Surviving are his wife of 18 years, Valerie, Hanover Twp.; daughter, Amber; sons, Gifford, Ryan and Justin; grandchildren, Angelina, Brianna and Derek; sisters, Jill Lester and her husband Robert, San Diego, Calif.; Dodie Cappellini, Harveys Lake; and Kim Cappellini, Harveys Lake; brother, Jeffrey and his wife, Michelle, Phoenix, Ariz.; and nieces and nephews.

Services for Gifford will be held privately at the convenience of the family. The family invites you to view his memorial video on the Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc. website, www.yanaitisfuneralhome.com. Condolences to the family can be posted on the funeral home site.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Gifford's memory can be made to the Wyoming Valley Drug and Alcohol Drug Services Inc., 437 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18704, or Step By Step Foundation, 744 Kidder St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.