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E. DANIEL CAPELL

About

Bucknell University

E. CAPELL Obituary

CAPELL--E. Daniel (Dan), 64, died January 11 at home in Barnegat Light, NJ after a three year battle with cancer. His wife Kathy, daughter Kay, son Matt and daughter-in-law Vanessa were at his side. He is also survived by sisters Nanette Schwing and Carolyn Wilkinson. Dan was a lifetime baseball and softball player, and devoted New York Yankees fan. He worked as a magazine executive for over 40 years and published an industry newsletter. Please visit his memorial website at: www.memorialwebsites. legacy.com/dancapell.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Jan. 14, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for E. CAPELL

70 Entries

John Scott

February 1, 2010

"He is so tall Dad! Like a giant". That was the first time my little boys looked up and saw Dan. Then Dan bent down and spoke in the softest voice to them and everything changed. The Scott family has just few but unmistakable memories of being with Dan. From kicking him out of his bedroom to the living room floor in DC to our first trip to LBI. I wish Dan could be in Ridgewood beside me to see my boys play baseball, but somehow I think he he'll make a game or two. What we have for memories to hold on to are his patience, kindness and his undeniable love for Kathy, Kay and Matthew.
-peace, John, Patty and "the boys"

Stephen Madonna

January 29, 2010

Kathy

Even though we did not know each other very well, I am sure you will remember us, we bought your house in Ridgewood. You and Dan were so nice and helpful through the entire process, and you left the house in immaculate condition. All the old neighborhood was so sad the hear of Dan's passing. We wish you and yours nothing but the best.

Stephen and Marie Madonna

Jenny (West) Norado

January 24, 2010

Kathy
It has been many years since I have seen the two of you, I think it was 1984 at our 20 year class reunion. I am so sorry for your loss. Dan was a wonderful guy. Nick and I will remember you all in our prayers.

Laura Meier

January 22, 2010

Kathy, Kay, Matt, and Vanessa,

Words simply don't suffice to convey how much I admire the entire Capell family, whom I have had the deep honor of knowing for 20 years now. Please accept my condolences and sympathy. Remember that, just as there are so many people who love and miss Dan, there are as many who love and will support his family.

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Bob Zerbe

January 22, 2010

Dear Kathy, Kay & Matt,

Very sorry to hear about Dan. First met Dan in Ridgewood on the softball field when I was 17. When he pitched, he was so inimidating because of his size. Eventually we became rivals first and then friends. That was Dan's way.
Dan and I formed the Ridgewood Sunday morning softball league many years ago. It expanded the number of games we could play a year (100??) all the while developing new friendships.
Dan taught me a lot about being a good person. He was 9 years older than me and despite our rivalry, he was always kind, patient, and showed me new ways to keep stats! Dan was the reason that BOTH Ridgewood Men's Softball League's were run so well. When the town Rec department screwed something up, Dan was always there to fix it. He even started the Sports Section articles in the Ridgewood news, which made it more fun for families to read.
Now that you and Wink (Dr Bunt) are in heaven, please form the new league and prepare for expansion, as over time we all hope to join you.
Dan, you made the world a better place, both in work and in play.

God Bless and again my consolences!
Bob Zerbe

Brenda & Harry Fallace

January 21, 2010

The Capell Family,

We are saddened for the loss of our dear friend. He was a member of our family! We admire his wife, son, daughter-in-law and daughter for all their loving care. May God bless Dan and his family.

Love,
The Fallace Family

Mike and Julie Civale

January 21, 2010

Dear Capells,

We feel so fortunate to have met Dan at Matt and Vanessa's wedding. From the little time we've spent with him, and from the stories we read on this website, it is clear what an amazing man he was - full of life and joy. We have known Matt for several years now (since he and Vanessa started dating) and when we read these stories we learn just where Matt got his love of life and his sense of humor. Dan's spirit will surely live on in his children and in his soon to be arriving grandchild. Our hearts go out to you during this very difficult time. We love you all.

Elaine Tyson

January 21, 2010

To the Capell Family,

I am so sorry to hear of Dan's passing. I knew him from the publishing industry and enjoyed his company at lots of industry events over the past 40 years. I will miss his wicked sense of humor. Please accept my sincere sympathy.

gary hawthorn

January 21, 2010

Dear Kathy, Kay, and Matt -

The sad news about Dan reached me in FL. I send to you, as well as Nanette and Carolyn, my deepest sympathies on your loss.

I salute Matt for the memorial web site, providing the opportunity for friends to share happy memories and to join in the celebration of Dan's life. The deep sadness that I feel is greatly outweighed by the many memorable times that I shared with Dan.

My happy memories of Dan extend over decades. We were both born in March 1945 on adjacent streets in Hamilton Square. Our mothers sometimes rolled our baby carriages together. We went through the same elementary, junior high, and high schools together. We stayed close through college and for many years after.

Dan--Big Red--was always the biggest boy in the class. He loved milk and consumed enormous quantities. He actually had a glass that held an entire quart which he consumed at most meals. He would come outside after meals and jump up & down so we could all hear the milk sloshing up and down. I really thought he would grow to be over 8 feet tall.

In reading comments from others on the web site, I want to echo what John Gnandt said about playing wiffle ball for hours in his side yard. Dan made up crazy rules to fit the surroundings--e.g., a line drive into the flower garden was an automatic single. A fly into the tall Maple tree in the outfield would only be a single if the wiffle ball could be caught after ping ponging against the branches on its way down.

I also want to echo Bob Klein who said his proudest moment was to hit a foul off of Dan's fierce fast ball in Little League. Bobby at least got some wood on Dan's high hard one. I could never even see it. I just closed my eyes and hoped for contact, which never happened. Think what it was like to face this 6 foot plus 12-year old at a distance of only 45 feet. The ball left his outstretched hand in one instant and smacked into Snyder Cook's glove in the next.

I saw on the website that Dan experienced 17 Yankee world championships. I am happy for Dan that he saw the Yankees finally return to dominance in 2009. Dan thrived on Yankee victories. The team seldom lost in the '50s and early '60s when we were boys.

Just for fun I would bet against the Yankees--usually a quarter. We were watching the 1960 World Series in Dan's living room when the Pirates' Bill Mazeroski hit a walk-off homer in the seventh game. Dan threw my quarter on the rug and stormed upstairs to his room. He didn't talk to me for five days. He eventually forgave my transgression because he often had me join him behind the plate at Yankee Stadium in the most amazing seats, including a 1978 World Series game when the Yanks beat the Dodgers in the first of four straight victories.

Dan had a great sense of humor and an insatiable appetite for participating in whatever cockamamie scheme boys, with too much time on their hands, could come up with...and I would come up with more than my share:

Dan and I and some other 16-year old friends talked my older brother in taking us "down the shore" one hot day in August 1961. We found ourselves on the Atlantic City boardwalk in the pre-gambling era. After having our fair share of take-out beer, I convinced Dan that we should take down this enormous 24 x 8-foot canvas sign advertising a World's Greatest Cars exhibit.

Dan was essential to this prank because he was the only one who could reach the eye hooks. He hesitated until I assured him that the canvas could be tightly rolled up into an inconspicuous pack that we could walk off with--in front of everyone walking the boards. Down it came and off we walked, eventually getting our prize possession back to Hamilton Square.

Dan and I also loved Mischief or Tic Tack night in October when we would rub soap bars on car windows, throw eggs and tomatoes at houses and cars, adorn trees with toilet paper, and run away after ringing doorbells. However, we occasionally crossed the line which brought the police in pursuit. Our problem always was that Dan, because of his size and red hair, would ALWAYS be spotted, leading to our inevitable capture.

There are so many other true stories from high school, including the time I was arrested for stealing my own car in Beach Haven at the Jersey shore. Dan really liked this story, always asking me to repeat the details.

Speaking of cars, when Dan turned 17 his father got him a 1961 Corvair--that small car that Ralph Nader called "unsafe at any speed." One problem: Dan could not fit in it, so the dealer had to remove the front seat and install extra long tracks allowing Dan to move the driver's seat far to the back, which really cramped the poor soul sitting in the rear seat when we were out cruisin' for chicks.

I doubled with Dan for the Senior Prom in October 1962. His father generously loaned us his brand new Pontiac Grand Prix. After the dance and numerous parties, we all had way too much to drink. However, I had had less than Dan, so I drove the Grand Prix with Dan and date passed out in the back seat. As a prank, I drove 60 miles down the shore. I will never forget the look on Dan's face when he awoke to see the ocean.

I sat in many classes with Dan in elementary and high school. The one constant: Dan could NEVER fit his long legs under the desk, which always balanced on his thighs.

Dan was a fantastic performer in all the high school operettas. No one had more fun on stage. As the head of the stage crew I would say his Inspector Barnes in Bells Are Ringing was his most memorable role.

Again, with too much time on our hands during high school, Dan and I decided to shorten our last names, as well as those of some classmates. He became Cap. I became Hawth. Others became Cal, Mig, Step, Zad, and Zag.

Dan was kind and so generous--always there to help me with his valuable insights and advice for my various entrepreneurial activities following our college years. So much of his guidance was dispensed on the beach at Barnegat Light with Dan sitting under his beach umbrella. That is one, of many images, that will stay with me forever.

We had great fun. He added spice to my life and made it more than it would have been without him. I feel lucky to have known him and to have shared so many special moments. I will never forget Dan.

Gary Hawthorn (Hawth)

Boca Raton, FL

Harry Egner

January 21, 2010

Kathy, Kay and Matt,
From fishing in Stone Harbor, to trying to do deals in New York, to debating the Phillies vs. Yankees, I knew Dan to be a man of deep enthusiasms who brought wit and humor to every occasion.
We often joked about opening a business on the Jersey Shore. Only problem was that I was talking about a "bait" shop -- Dan was talking about a "bake" shop. It took us two years to figure out we were talking about two very different things. Many laughs later we decided to forego the venture.
Holly and I send our condolences.

Michael Hosmer

January 21, 2010

Matt and family,

So sorry to hear about your dad. I will always have fond memories of your dad from the good times we had in Chapel Hill.

Our warmest condolences,

Mike and Heidi Hosmer

Walter Delph

January 20, 2010

Dear Kathy, Kay, Matt and Vanessa

I am very sorry to have learned about Dan's passing. I am a friend of Vanessa and now Matt. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

My Condolences,

Claire Gruppo

January 19, 2010

Dearest Kathy, Kay and Matt,
Hugh and I were just talking about Dan and how much we missed him, knowing that he was not well in the fight for his life...It's hard to believe that we won't see him again, strolling into our office with a big smile, asking Hugh what his latest money-making "scheme" was! HA
We are priveledged to have known him, laughed with him and worked with him every day for years. I can hardly imagine a better business partner and friend.
Claire Gruppo & Hugh Levey

Kathy/Rich Larson

January 19, 2010

Dear Kathy,Kay,and Matt,
You were such great Ridgewood friends. I often think of the times when we shared children. The softball games were absolutely the best. What a great bunch of people, thanks to Dan's efforts. You truly are the best of friends. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Kathy and Rich Larson

Victor O'Neill Studio

January 19, 2010

Dear Kathy and family,

We recall with fondness the time you spent working with us and our getting to know Dan through you. Please accept our sincere condolences. Know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Barb, Julie, Henry, and the rest of the crew.

Louise Lewis

January 19, 2010

Dear Kathy, Kay, Matt, and Vanessa,

We were so sorry to hear of Dan's passing. I remember him watching Matt at basketball games and always being supportive of all the boys in all their many sports. When we pass your old Ridgewood house, we remember dropping David off so many times. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

January 18, 2010

Dan's passing has made me sad for his family, his friends, his teammates, his colleagues. We have lost such a good man!

I remember countless meetings and greetings with Dan. I came into magazine marketing in 1978 after 20 years as an educator, naive and unschooled in circulation. I met Dan early on, and over the next 22 years found in him an advisor, a supporter, a thoughtful analyst, a remarkable resource, and, of course, a wonderfully fun-loving person. I learned a great deal from Dan, and feel enormous gratitude for all that he cheerfully did for me and enabled me to do for myself.

Bless you, Dan Cappell.

Rhoda Krauss Seider, Newton, New Jersey

January 18, 2010

Dear Kathy, Kay and Matt:

We were so very saddened to learn of Dan's passing. We pray that the heartache that you now feel will soon cease and only all of the fond memories of Dan's life will linger.

We so enjoyed working with Dan during his tenure as President of The Lake Group. He contributed greatly to our success and we also shared many wonderful personal times together, which are now "cherished memories".

We were so happy to learn that Dan finally moved to the place he so loved, Barnegat Light.

With our sincerest of condolences,
Walter & Joyce Lake

January 17, 2010

To Dan Capell’s family -

I was sorry to hear of your losing Dan recently. I was a SHS ‘63 classmate and Hamilton Square neighbor.

Although we didn’t remain in touch much after graduation, I’m fairly certain he probably lived life to the fullest. He certainly did in high school! He always seemed ready to try something new, to stretch himself in a new area. I think he surprised many when he played a very good mixed-up police inspector in our school musical Bells Are Ringing. And in our senior year, he played the immensely funny Mayor Shinn in The Music Man. I was glad to see the photo gallery photo of him continuing this theatrical activity by ‘hamming it up’ as part of the Ridgewood High School Jamboree parents program.

Again, my condolences on losing Dan.

Bud Beck, Ewing, New Jersey

Seth Bair

January 17, 2010

I always remember the story Matt told about Dan losing his car keys on the softball field as night fell. Players from both teams pulled their cars close to to shine their headlights across the field. After almost an hour of intensive searching, Dan reached down to tie his shoes and found his keys lodged in the bottom of his sweat pant legs. Vigorous ribbing ensued.
Our thoughts are with the Capells.

Seth

Joel Whitaker

January 16, 2010

When Dan started his newsletter, Capell's Circulation Report, he kept his priorities straight: CCR published 20 times a year -- twice a month except in June, July and August and December. Publishing twice a month in the summer would have interfered with softball, and publishing twice a month in December would have interfered with being with friends and family for the Christmas holidays.

Dan was a giant among circulation professionals, a great friend and a very decent guy.

He will be missed. But I am sure he's already organizing softball games in heaven.

Joe Lucas

January 16, 2010

Softyball and roses. There was a lot more to Dan but he and I sure loved our softball and roses. We could play a softball game in about an hour and then smoke cigars and talk about the game for three hours. And the lokk on the peoples faces at Hoberman when the giant and half (Dan and I) went rose shopping was priceless. I loved Dan and Kathy, Matt and Kay. You all are such a big part of my life. My heart goes out to you

David & Madelyn Schor

January 16, 2010

Dan, I will never forget our day & night on the softball field, the Elks, and various other post game sites. You will be truly missed and never forgotten.
My heart and thoughts go to the family during this time of rememberence.

January 16, 2010

Matt,

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. I'm sure you will miss him, but hopefully your fond memories will help you find peace.

Love to you and your family,
Suzy Sweeny

Ed Strauss

January 16, 2010

Dan and I had only a few conversations during our respective careers -- he had left Sports Illustrated circulation before I got there in 1974 -- but I admired him greatly both for his professional acumen and for how highly regarded, and truly loved, he was as a person. He was an ardent and articulate champion of the circulation discipline, the often overlooked "third leg" of the magazine-publishing business. If more people at the top had paid attention to what he had to say, that business wouldn't be in the sorry state it is today.

Dennis and Linda Baugh

January 16, 2010

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

January 16, 2010

We would ride our bicycles on Klockner road and sneak into the drive in on rt 130..If the flick was bad we would lean back on the bench and watch the stars fall..
and share our dreams. Then the next morning Cap would wake up to get ready for school only to learn he was covered with poison ivy. That was 1960.
I'll never let go of him and all the
wonderful things he left inside my heart.
Joe Beato

Ken Moscarello

January 15, 2010

I first met Dan playing softball in the Ridgewood league in 1973. There was some great matchups between the Ridgewood Yankees and Dan's team. Always a true gentleman. I also umpired more of his games than I can remember. Dan was a great competitor and his games always were fast!!! I was always invited to shore weekend as the umpire and was made to feel like one of the guys. Thanks for all you have done for the game of softball, BIG DAN!!! I will truly miss you. Mosc

January 15, 2010

Kathy,

You and your family are in our Thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss. May Dan rest in peace.

Debbie & Lisa Brant

Jack Cook

January 15, 2010

Dan was one of my closest friends in childhood.His Father coached our Little League team (with great success) and,as Jack Bendel noted,Dan pitched so hard that "holding"him was a real challenge.As a result,I was very proud to become the catcher on this team and later in high school.

Lou Kislik

January 14, 2010

Dear Capell Family,
I haven't seen Dan's name in what must be about 30 years, and the same is true for the first few guest book entries from circulation figures. But something from long ago touched me that wants me to acknowledge him. And so I do, and offer you my sympathies for your loss. I was president of Publishers Clearing House from 1969 to 1978 and chair of the Direct Marketing Association in the mid '70's, so Dan was connected to my life at the time and has left undefined and sweet memories.

Jack Bendel

January 14, 2010

I have many memories of Danny, but the one thing that comes to mind is .....when we were kids a lot of us didn't want to have a catch with Danny, because he threw the ball to hard. So....when his father's birthday came Danny bought him a catchers mit so that he would have someone to pitch to.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

January 14, 2010

My deepest condolences to Dan's family whom I never met. I was at your home once a year religiously for the pre-season softball meeting for the Sunday league. While I am only one of thousands who touched Dan's life I am hapy to have known him for the 7 or so years we were rivals on the field.

After several phone calls I was scheduled to meet with Dan on an April Sunday for the first time. But as fate would have it, while sitting at the Yankee Opening Day in 1996, a week before our meeting, I overheard this gentleman talking about Ridgewood softball! out of 50,000 people this stranger soon to be friend was sitting right in front of me!

Those years were the mosty enjoyable I ever played on a SB field in large part because of the oraganization Dan put into it. Rest in Peace friend. Your legacy lives on through those of us you have touched.

Mayor Joe Blundo

Joe Patti

January 14, 2010

Big Dan,

So many wonderful memories of playing softball, drinking beer and talking baseball and sharing so many great stories about old friends. Dan could tell a great story, he was really gifted in that way, and he made everyone he met feel welcome to the group. That's a real talent that not many people have. Dan's generousity when it came to his friends was unmatched and my life is better for having been his friend. My sincere condolences to Kathy and his family. He will be missed, but never forgotten by all that he touched in the life of this special man. God bless Dan Capell!

Greg Marcy

January 14, 2010

Kathy, Kay and Matt-
I offer my deepest condolences. Most of my memories of Big Dan are on the softball field. I always looked forward to my dad bringing me to one of his softball games- mostly because Big Dan would always let me hang aroud the team.
Dan I am thankful I had the privilege to know you, and will cherish all of the memories. May you Rest In Peace.

C. Garraway (John 5:28, 29)

January 14, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Bill Willett

January 14, 2010

Dear Kay and Family,

My deepest sympathy in the loss of someone so dear to you.

Please know that Dan will be in my prayers.

SANDY CLARK

January 14, 2010

KATHY...WITH SADNESS I WRITE OF THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF DAN...AS YOU KNOW I CALLED HIM "ED"...AND AS HIS 1ST BOSS AT TIME, IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE HIM IN OUR GROUP IN WHAT WAS A EXCITING AND TUMULTUOUS TIME.

HE WILL BE MISSED

SANDY CLARK

Mark Edmiston

January 14, 2010

To the Capell Family

We never met but I have known Dan for nearly thirty years. We were both circulators and then colleagues at Newsweek when he was publisher of Inside Sports. Very smart about the magazine biz and always wiling to share. But most of all, a great guy.
My condolences are with you and all of Dan's many friends.

Michael Lucas

January 14, 2010

My heart goes out to the Capell family. One can not truly share with you the tremendous sense of loss that you feel; the heavy hearts that you harbor. In my sadness I can only offer sympathy and condolences and I do. Dan was a wonderful friend, a wonderful man. A man who loved life and love sharing that love of life with his friends And boy did we ever have some good times loving life with Big Dan. They started for me on the 163 out of Tenafly and just continued on and on. We will all miss him. Please try to take some solace in the realization that none of us will ever forget him, he will live on in our hearts and minds, we will have memories of him forever. Thank you Dan - thank you for all of those memories.

Liz Knee Vizard

January 14, 2010

Dear Kathy, Kay,and Matt-

We feel very honored to have spent time with your family over the years. May you find comfort in each other when you think of Dan.

SANDRA BERSCH (STRATTON)

January 14, 2010

Kathy - I hope you remember your old friend "Stratton" from high school & Franklin, and those days so long ago at Mercer Hospital. I am hoping that just knowing that so many share in your loss and grief will comfort you immeasurably.

Lee Koenigsberg

January 14, 2010

Kathy:

My thoughts are with you, Kay and Matt.

Scott Lucas

January 13, 2010

Kathy, Kay & Matt-
I am so terribly sorry.
I loved Big Dan; he was a great guy and always greeted me with a smile - I will forever remember his smile.

I have such fond memories of times with your entire family from the dinners in the big dinning room on Bedford place, to your father on the front porch, to the house getting broken into while we were at Kay's recital at BF – not mention the good times in the Colt Vista (there is no way that was an approved 3rd row) endless fun during and after softball games and the old house at the beach.

He will be missed, but has left us all with wonderful memories and great stories to share with all.

Carole Read

January 13, 2010

Dear Kathy, Kay, Mathew and Vanessa,
I am so sorry for your loss. Dan was a very funny person. I remember his great comments on the Ashley, his "pseudo-city" hood in DC, like seeing the city rabbits scurry in the alley and all the places that you could watch the Yankees in DC. My thoughts are with you all.

Lisa Granatstein

January 13, 2010

Dear Kathy, Kay & Matt,

I am so very sorry for your loss. I first met Dan back in 1998 when I took on the magazine beat at Mediaweek. I knew nothing about circulation. Zip. Dan spent hours one afternoon patiently schooling me on Circulation 101. I called on Dan often after that to bounce stories off of him. Dan was always supportive (even though he would chuckle at some of my more outlandish story ideas) and willing to lend a hand. Over the years, I'd like to think I paid it forward, teaching new reporters about circulation. I will remember Dan fondly.

Janice Sumner

January 13, 2010

Dear Kathy, Matt, & Kay I was so sad to hear Of Dans passing my prayers are with you all we all have such great memories . I will always remember Dan as the ultimate Yankee fan. Janice

Uncle Dan and Aunt Kathy with our family at Rick's promotion to Colonel, March 2008

Richard and Mary Schwing

January 13, 2010

Aunt Kathy, Kay, Matt, and Vanessa - We're trying to put into words how sorry we are for the loss of Uncle Dan. Rick has so many great memories of Uncle Dan, especially remember when he was a young boy vividly and thinking "what a great big bear of a man". We remember a man with a big heart, always smiling and laughing, always interested in how we were doing and always willing of course to talk Yankee baseball! Rick is in the Air Force and can clearly remember Uncle Dan at both his first promotion, to Second Lieutenant, in May 1986 at Penn State University, and his last promotion, to Colonel, at Fort Belvoir VA in March 2008. Dan and Kathy had a great and wonderful marriage, we can only hope our marriage is half as wonderful as yours! We were so pulling for the Yankees this past season as we really wanted them to win one more Championship for Dan. We know Dan is now watching over us with Nana and Poppy....We can see Dan and Poppy in Heaven now, watching the Yankees on a big screen TV, with Nana's roast beef on the table. Our sons Richard, Ethan and Zachary's first birthday cakes were all New York Yankee cakes, a tradition we started in memory of Poppy and now Dan. Uncle Dan will forever be in our memories and we will always remember the great times we had with this wonderful man and his family. Love, Richard and Mary Schwing

January 13, 2010

Dear Kathy, Kay & Matt,
We are so sorry for your loss. One of my memories of Dan were of him sitting out on the front porch holding court with his team(one of many).May you all heal quickly.
Barry, Carol, Jessica and Alex.

Anne Winner

January 13, 2010

Dear Kathy, Kay, Matt and Vanessa -
We are all so sad to say good-bye to Dan. We've all shared so many wonderful times. I am quite sure that Diane has a spot ready for her "Big Pip."
Love, Anne

John Marcy

January 13, 2010

Kathy, Matt, and Kay,
My condolences on the loss of Big Dan. I have so many memories of times with him, from the beginning of my time on the Smith Brothers team: Ok, Rookie, it is the bottom of the 7th, 2 outs, we're down 8, get in there and get me a hit; his definition of a hit (that's final, Yonnie, you don't deserve a hit on that), his ability to sleep 25 guys in your old shore house on "Shore week-end". I did, though, finally find a way to get a starting position on the team: If he let me start, I wouldn't tell him "furniture jokes". It worked every time.
Big Dan, Rest in Peace....

Scott Montgomery

January 13, 2010

Kathy, Kay and Matt,
Words cannot express how sorry and sad we are. I had to share a thought that ran by me earlier: on your trips up to Freehold to visit, we would be in the kitchen and Dan would be out in the living room watching a game and all of a sudden we would hear my shy son in there talking to him about cartoons, showing him his toys, games etc. Makes me smile thinking about it, Drew being as shy as he is....Our love to all of you and Cheryl and I will hopefully see you on the 22nd...

Harry Hutchins

January 13, 2010

I send my sincerest condolences to Dan's family.

Dan and I played on American Legion baseball teams and the 1962 High School Baseball Championship team. When I wasn't catching his pitches, I'd be throwing down to him for a pick off attempt at first base, He was the best at whatever he did and will be missed but not forgotten.

Tim Barlow

January 13, 2010

Kathy, Kay & Mat,

I would like to offer my sincere condolences and prayers for your loss. I had the privilege of working with and being mentored by Dan throughout most of my career in the direct marketing industry. Dan is a man of great character, kindness, judgment and insight, there are hundreds of colleagues and clients within whom Dan lives on and always will.

Dan lived by the principle of treating people as one wished to be treated themselves in fact he may have invented the principle in the magazine circulation and direct marketing industry’s; at the very least he elevated the standard.

Anyone who was fortunate enough to have met Dan is empowered by the knowledge and insight that a true professional gentleman imparts as he lives a life of distinction as Dan most certainly did. Dan will be missed but in the days, weeks, months and years ahead there will be countless women and men who will be thinking of and doing nice things to and on behalf of friends and colleagues in memory of Dan Capell

Leslie Montgomery

January 13, 2010

Aunt Kathy, Kay, & Matt,

I was so sorry to hear about Uncle Dan. He was a wonderful man and my heart goes out to all of you. I will cherish the memories I have of him and please know that my prayers are with you. The pictures that are posted are lovely.

Liza Milli Baker

January 13, 2010

Dear Kathy, Kay and Matt,

My family and I are so sorry to hear that Dan passed away. I will always remember him as a gentle and kind man who had a smile on his face every time I saw him. I pray that you will find comfort in each other and in your happy memories of him.

John Gnandt

January 13, 2010

My condolences to Dan's family. Dan and I grew up together; elementary school, Steinert HS, Bentley's Coffee Shop. We played wiffle ball day-in and day-out on his side lawn. Our love of baseball took us through Nottingham LL, Hamilton Babe Ruth League, and Steinert HS together. Dan is the only person I knew that went away to college and came home three inches taller! RIP I'm sure he will be missed by everyone.

John Rinaldi

January 13, 2010

In memory of Big dan Capell.

I am sure Dan and Wink are are putting a team together as we speak. They will probably be called the Angels. A mans man , True competitor yet with compassion for the opponent and role model to all of mens softball. He leaves us as a legacy. Ridgewood sunday morning league 1978 - 1982

January 13, 2010

Condolonces to the Capell family. Dan was a great customer and an absolute gentleman. We were always happy to see him having a drink in the place.
Management & staff of Annie Moores.

Ted Reisner

January 13, 2010

Dear Kathy,
We are sorry to have read about Dan's passing. It's never the right time. Think of all the good times you had together.
We will keep you in our prayers.
Aunt Jay and Ted

Todd Colaianni

January 13, 2010

Kathy, Kay and Matt,

I wish I could put into words how much Dan meant to me. From the times I was tugging on his leg to let me go shag fly balls at 7 or 8 years old to the times he had to grab me by the ear and tell me to stop arguing a call because we were out here to have fun to winning the sunday league championship. No matter what we talked about or what we were doing, Dan had an effect on me that few people ever have. And we had many conversations that did not just involve softball and sports. Yes, we had lots of those but Dan would listen to whatever I had to say. Dan's friendship with my father was very important to me as well. Dan truly cared about my dad and my dad felt the same about him. Their relationship showed me what true friendship really was. It has been quite some time since I had a chance to speak to Dan but I have so many awesome memories that will stay with me forever. I will never forget the countless hours we spent on the softball field, at shore weekend(s), at Yankee games, family parties and so on. My friends that met him over the years always make a point of asking...how is Big Dan? He made an impression on everyone he met. I remember back in 1995, the Yankees were in game two of the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners. The game went extra innings and it was wet and cold. We came with eight people but it was just the two of us in the 13th inning when Jim Leyritz hit the game winning home run. I don't think there were two more excited people on the planet. I don't think we stopped talking about the game until he dropped me off at home. I know that there is always talk of sports when you speak of Dan but he loved it so much. He had a passion for baseball that few will ever have. Big Dan truly cared about people as well. I don't think I ever met someone that did not love Big Dan. He had a huge heart and the countless number of people that have come into his life I'm sure would attest to that. I guess most of all I just want to say that I will miss him. Every time the weather warms up and the sun is out ( or rainy and cold, it did't really matter) I know I will hear his voice....."Let's play two!" I'm sure God had a big broken car seat from a Chevy Caprice waiting for Big Dan and he is now watching out for all of us. God bless you and God bless Big Dan.

Christmas 2003

January 13, 2010

Christmas 2003

January 13, 2010

Larry Bentley

January 13, 2010

My condolences go out to Dan's family, friends and all who knew (Big Red), I can remember all the great memories of Dan and all the guys that used to come in to (Bentley's Coffee Shop). Everyone looked up to Big Red, not because of his height, but he was such a great role model. He brought wonderful memories to baseball to all us Hamiltonians. RIP Big Red

Ron DiGiuseppe

January 13, 2010

Sorry to learn of Dan's passing. I was a great baseball friend of Dan during our years at Steinert. My father was a friend of Dan's father at GM. He will be missed.

Matt Cronin

January 13, 2010

Dear Kay and Family... Sorry to learn of your loss. I am a member of Dan's high school class of 1963 and have fond memories of those days. I will keep Dan in my memories and prayers.
Sincerely, Matt Cronin

Tom Winner

January 13, 2010

Dan used to say, "Tommy, life is short. You got to fit in as many softball games as possible." I wish we could have played one more.

bob klein

January 13, 2010

I once hit a foul ball off dan in LL , one of my proudest moments. my prayers are with you.RIP Dan

Ned Winner

January 13, 2010

My sincerest condolences to the Capell family.

Some of my fondest memories from childhood are going to Smith Brothers softball games on Sunday mornings (and occassionally week nights when my dad could make it home from work on time). Lasting images from those games include Big Dan hollering encouragement at the players and striding off of the mound after the third out was made.

On many occassions I kept the scorebook during those games, and Big Dan would always check up on me to make sure I wasn't making mistakes. I felt honored to have such a lofty responsibility at such a young age!

To this day I love keeping score at ballgames and keep detailed stats for every adult baseball and softball team I play on. I truly believe that my passion for the scorebook stems from those mornings at Vets Field or Somerville, keeping the book during a double-header against Wink Scala and the hated Merchants with Big Dan keeping a watchful eye over my shoulder.

Heather Dunn

January 13, 2010

Dear Kay and Family- I was so sorry to hear of Dan's passing. During the past 3 years he fought a strong battle, and was surrounded by all of the people that he loved the most. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

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