FISHKILL – Ralph A. Capasso, a Fishkill resident since 1957, passed away at home on Monday, April 4, 2022. He was 90.

Son of the late Dominick and Camille (Cavacini) Capasso, he was born in the Bronx on November 30, 1931 and attended college in Manhattan, graduating from Iona College. In 1954, he joined the U.S. Army and served for two years. He was honorably discharged from service as Specialist 3rd Class in 1956. He was a great athlete and was drafted by the Boston Red Socks farm team. He was a formidable basketball player and coached several basketball teams as well.

Ralph devoted his career to education. He taught English in the Wappingers Central School District for 34 years, retiring in 1991 and was a founding member of the Wappingers Congress of Teachers, serving as Union President for 20 years. He attended many conventions in Hawaii, Colorado and Manhattan, to name a few. Ralph consistently represented the teachers. In addition to his work for the school district, Ralph also proudly taught at Dutchess Community College/ Fishkill correctional facility for 25 years.

He was a 57-year active parishioner of St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Fishkill, where he served as a lector and regularly contributed poems of prayer to the parish bulletin. He was an usher and lecturer. He also taught RCIA for 15 years. Ralph attended daily mass and received communion daily for the last 20 years.

On June 30, 1962 he married Janet Jones at the Church of the St Mary's in Yonkers. They were married for 60 years. Janet still resides in Fishkill. They lived in the same home for 57 years where they raised their 4 children. Ralph was a wonderful father and devoted husband. Ralph and Janet did a lot of traveling upon retiring and enjoyed a happy and active retirement.

Additional survivors include his daughter, Corrine & husband Jeff of Florida; his daughter, Darien of New York and her significant other, Steve; his son, Ralph & his wife Lynn of South Carolina; his son, Christopher & his wife Amina of Connecticut; his grandchildren, Dominick, Vincent, Bianca, Alexis, Jordan, Amir, and Azaam; his great grandchildren, Karter and Madison, as well as many other loving relatives and friends. The family would like to give a special thanks to Father Adolf for all his spiritual guidance and for being a good friend to Ralph.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents as well as his sister, Elaine; his brother-in-law, Joseph; and his sister-in-law, Linda.

Calling hours will be held from 2 to 5 pm on Sunday at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. Family remembrances will be shared at 5 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 am on Monday at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill. Interment will follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.

Donations in Memory of Ralph can be made to the St. Mary School Angel Fund, 106 Jackson Street, PO Box 780, Fishkill, NY 12524. For online tributes, please visit Ralph's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.