Elio "Leo" Capuano

Stonington - Elio "Leo" Capuano, 91, a former resident of East Springfield, Mass., and the Sixteen Acres neighborhood of Springfield, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, surrounded by his loving family.

Leo was born in 1923, to the late Carmine and Annina Capuano in the Province of Salerno, Italy before immigrating to Springfield. Leo was a graduate of Springfield Technical High School. Following high school, Leo served his country honorably during World War II with the Company B 20th Armored Infantry Battalion. He fought in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and the Battle of the Buldge in the Central European Theater where he was one of the first soldiers to cross the Rhine River into Germany when his unit captured the bridge at Remagen.

Leo married his wife, Geraldine "Geri" (Walkwitz) Capuano on Nov. 23, 1951, and the couple remained happily married for over 57 years.

Leo returned from service to Springfield where he joined his father and brother in the family construction business before moving to Wethersfield in 1966, where he raised his family. Leo and Geri moved to Stonington in 1982, and then split their time between Stonington and Naples, Fla., throughout his retirement. Leo owned and operated Capmar Construction Co., formed Capuano Builders and Developers with his son, and was a partner in the CFS Group and Ninety-One Building Corp.

Leo was an avid racquetball player and rose to be ranked as high as sixth in the region in the Over 55 Golden Masters category in tournament play. Some of his favorite hobbies included clamming in Rhode Island and collecting antique duck decoys.

He is survived by a son, Paul Capuano and his companion, Ruth Johnson, of Stonington; a granddaughter, Valia Capuano and her fiancé, Alexander Santaniello, both of Boston. Leo also leaves behind his sisters, Michelina McClellan and her husband, Robert, of Shelburne, Vt., and Nicolina Sullivan of Kansas City, Mo.; and a daughter, Ellen and her two daughters, Geraldine and Mellissa of Florida.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Geri Capuano, and two brothers, Gennaro "Gerry" Capuano and David Capuano.

Leo's family would like to welcome visitors from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, at Sampson's Chapel of the Acres Funeral Home, 21 Tinkham Road, Springfield. Family and friends are also invited to attend a funeral home ceremony at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, at Sampson's Chapel followed by the burial in Hillcrest Park Cemetery, 895 Parker St., Springfield.

If friends desire, memorial donations in Leo's name may be made to the Center For Hospice Care Southeast Connecticut, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360.