Patrick Caprino

1969 - 2012

Patrick Russell Caprino

February 20, 1969 - October 20, 2012

SALEM - Patrick Russell Caprino was born on February 20, 1969 in Mountain View, California. Pat passed away unexpectedly at his home in Salem on October 20, 2012 of a heart attack.

Patrick is survived by his beloved children Mackenzie, Kadin, and step-daughter Megan; his love Carrie Cusimano; his parents Bud and Carol Caprino; his sisters Kimberly (Mark) Kleiner, Kristin (Neil) Connelly; nieces Payton & Kailey and nephews Karsten, Kyle and Kameron.

Patrick grew up in San Jose, California and graduated from California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo. Following graduation Patrick moved to Oregon to seek a career as a firefighter.

Patrick began his career at Salem Fire Department on June 19, 1995, and was assigned to Fire Station 2 on C-shift. It didn't take long for co-workers to recognize Pat as an outstanding firefighter and future leader of Salem Fire Department.

Pat was assigned as a medic evaluator in August 2007 and was selected as a medic on the Salem Police SWAT team in May 1998. Pat tested for the position of Engineer and shortly after tested for the position of Fire Captain, finding himself in the enviable position of being on two active promotion lists at the same time.

On September 24, 2001 Pat was promoted to Engineer and assigned to Fire Station 3; on February 2, 2002 Pat was promoted to the rank of Captain and remained on C-shift. In May of 2002 Pat was reassigned to Fire Station 2 and worked on Engine 2 & Ladder 2; training probationary firefighters, where he stayed until transferring to Fire Station 4 in August of 2008.

Pat always had a strong interest in Ladder Truck operations, and specialty rescue. That interest, hard work, and the respect he earned from his coworkers, allowed Pat to become an integral part of many of the department's specialty teams throughout his career. Pat served on, trained, or led the swift water rescue, technical rescue, and urban search and rescue teams.

Pat was also a Charter Member of the Salem Firefighters Pipes and Drums.

As of November 2008 Pat also served as Adjunct Faculty for Chemeketa Community College in the Emergency Services Program.

Pat was presented the Marion County Sheriff's Office Life Saving Award on December 26, 2000 for his actions in saving the life of Undersheriff Mike Wilkerson, and was the recipient of the 2006 Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, Award of Excellence.

In August of this year Pat was appointed as the Acting Battalion Chief at Fire Station 2 on A-Shift, the position he held until the time of his death.

Pat will forever be remembered as a brother, a son, a soulmate, a friend, a leader and a firefighter. But most importantly Pat was a loving father whose children meant more to him than mere words could ever hope to describe.

In lieu of flowers please make donations at any US Bank branch to the "The Patrick Caprino Memorial Fund" to assist in providing Kadin and Mackenzie a college education.

"God willing, I'll see you on the other side"