Rev. John E. Capen

Stone Ridge - The Reverend John E. Capen, known to many as "The Running Reverend," ran through Heaven's Pearly Gates on October 17, 2025. He was 88 years young.

Born August 9,1937, at his family's home in Brandon, Vermont, to Nathan and Ida Lila [Paddock] Capen, John was the youngest of four children. His family split their time between Brandon, VT, and in Plainville, CT, in the house he helped his father build.

Home-schooled until the 6th grade, John attended public schools in Brandon and Plainville, graduating from Plainville High School in 1954. At the age of 14, John began his working career planting seeds and nurturing growth at a local greenhouse in Brandon, VT. Over the course of his life, he worked and honed his leadership

skills in positions at companies including Bernston Spring Shop, Fafnir Bearing Company, Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, Landers, Frary & Clark, Jacobs Chuck Manufacturing Company and General Motors. He sold encyclopedias and Watkins Products, door-to-door, and bought an ice cream truck with which he established a

very successful ice cream route. He received a 2-year Certificate in Mechanical Engineering from Connecticut State Tech, and attended Connecticut Central Teachers College, where he met the love the love of his life, Beatrice Newton, with whom he shared 60 years of love and joyful companionship in marriage.

John and Bea began attending Plainville Methodist Church in 1962. By 1964, they both realized that John was being called to serve God in ministry so, together they committed their lives to answering the call through the Methodist Church. He enrolled as a night student at the University of Hartford to complete his Bachelor's degree while working full-time during the day at General Motors. In the spring of 1966, John had obtained his Local Preacher's License and in June, at the age of 29, and having preached fewer than six sermons, he was appointed to serve in his first congregation in the New York- Connecticut Conference of the Methodist Church as a parttime Student Pastor. He graduated from Hartford Seminary with a Master in Divinity while serving his first appointment at the North Canton and Washington Hill Methodist Churches (June 1966 to July 1972). He and his family moved to New York when he was appointed to serve Rondout Valley and Kripplebush United Methodist Churches (1972-1992), and remained in the Hudson Valley throughout his years while serving Gardnertown United Methodist Church in Newburgh, NY (1992-2008); High Hill United Methodist Church (2008-221); and the Athens Federated Church [United Methodist and American Baptist] (2021 -) and Shady United Methodist Church in Bearsville, NY, until his passing.

Many faithful worshipped with John in a number of "unconventional" locations, such

as the High Falls Pantry, Twiggy II, and McDonalds. John was happy to share God's reassuring words and provide a spiritual experience outside in the world where some may have viewed 'The Church' as a boundary with expectations. Through this unconventional ministry, along with connections that he made with others outside of the church, John was willing to marry any couple ready to commit their love to each other, whenever asked, or provide any other pastoral support that he could.

John immersed himself in doing God's work not only in his churches, but in the greater communities in which he lived. In Connecticut he was a member of the Grange, and prior to his ordained ministry, he was a Drill Sergeant in the Civil Air Patrol, and decades later while residing in Newburgh NY he served as a Chaplain.

John was a very active member and served as an officer of Lions, in the Newburgh

and Rondout Valley Lions Clubs, and attended state, national, and international leadership conferences and conventions. He was an officer and member of the Ulster County Fair Board from the 1970s until his passing. He served as an officer and member of the Catskill Glee Club, sang with the New England Male Chorus, the Victorian Strollers of Athens, the Rondout Valley Christmas and Easter Cantata Choir, as well as

various Ulster County Community College theater productions. John enjoyed mastering his public speaking skills and comedic timing with the Hudson Toastmasters Club and spending time with possible distant relatives in the Athens Paddock Club. In addition to his ministry, John taught math and computer courses as an adjunct professor

on the UCCC campus and at Napanoch through their prison program.

"Everybody is in a marathon, the marathon of the mind. You can take what you're learning from one and apply it to the other (John Capen)." Often, one to test his physical endurance, John took up running in 1978, running his first mile on Leggett Road in Stone Ridge, NY. He built up his endurance by training for local races, such as the Fourth of July Marbletown Road Race and the Kingston Dry Run. These races opened a new world of friends from whom he caught the marathon bug. Soon he was running the annual New York City, Boston, and Hartford Marathons. Eventually, he was entering any nearby marathon that wouldn't interfere with his work schedule or that was happening in the place that he would be vacationing. He decided to set the goal of running his 75th marathon at the age of 75, the age at which his father died of a heart-attack. In order to do so, he had to run 12 marathons in the year leading up. This success set a new precedent and, from that time on, he was participating in 12 marathons a year, in as many of the United States as possible. Although a previous accident prevented him from marathoning, he continued to walk the roads of Stone Ridge until recently. All told, John completed over 160 marathons and averaged 2000 miles a year on foot.

John found many venues and many ways to inspire, encourage and be in fellowship with others. He lived his life by the teachings of Jesus and served the Lord with all his heart, his time, his gifts and with great gladness!

John was pre-deceased by his devoted wife, Beatrice, sister, Anna Webster, brother, Ford Capen, and his son-in-law, William "Uncle Willy" Guldy, Jr. He is survived by his sister, Rose Berlani, his daughters; Beth Capen, Meg Capen (Daniel Brubeck), Amy Capen (Mike Polcari), and Joanne Sorbello (Joseph), his grandchildren; Beatrice Capen-Guldy (Dave Spiro), Jacob Lovgren, John and Julia Caster, and his great-grandchildren; Foxx, Harper and McCartney Spiro, his beloved extended family of nieces and nephews, his many dear friends and his cherished congregation members.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Rev. John Capen will take place at Rondout Valley United Methodist Church at 25 Schoonmaker Lane, Stone Ridge, NY 12484 on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, John has requested that donations be made to Rondout Valley Lions Club, PO Box 107, Stone Ridge, NY 12484 and

Rondout Valley United Methodist Church, PO Box 295, Stone Ridge, NY 12484.

The family would like to thank the Doctors and nurses of Northern Dutchess Hospital for their great care and willingness to meet John's needs in his last days, Hudson Valley Hospice for their wonderful service, and his clergy colleagues who visited and prayed with him, and over him, during his hospitalizations. And especially for his parishioners who kept him focused on his purpose and living his most meaningful life.

Cremation and memorial arrangements are under the guidance of George J. Moylan Funeral Home, Inc. in Rosendale, NY (www.gjmoylanfuneralhome.com)