Obituary of Leo R. Capoccia

Leo R. Capoccia Jr. Leo R. Capoccia Jr. of Rome and a long-time resident of Fort Pierce, Florida, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2018. He was born in Rome, on September 4, 1926, oldest son of the late Leo Sr. and Mildred Capoccia. He grew up in Rome and attended school in our great city. Leo was employed as a young man at Star Taxi, working the phones above the old St. John's Pharmacy in his father's business. He met and fell for the girl of his dreams, Rose Marocchi, and they were married at ST. John's on December 27, 1947, after he returned home from serving in the United States Navy. Leo enlisted in the Navy several days after his 17th birthday in 1943 and proudly served aboard the SS Samuel Moody in the Atlantic Theatre. He was wounded in Naples, Italy and while recovering, he was reassigned to the SS Samuel Henry Long Fellow and had the distinction of serving the remainder of his Naval experience in the Pacific Fleet. Leo was awarded the Victory Medal, the American Theater Medal, European Theatre Medal (2 Stars) and the Asiatic Pacific Medal. He was Honorably Discharged after becoming a Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class on April 7th 1946. Leo loved serving in the Navy and was a boating enthusiast for much of his life. Upon returning home to Rome and getting married he started his career as a professional Fire Fighter at Griffiss Air Force Base. Leo and Rose had a daughter, Peggy Anne, and three sons, Ronald, John, and Leo III in Rome. In 1959 the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where Leo became the Assistant Fire Chief at Lowery Air Force Base. The family stayed until 1961, when duty called and they moved to Greenville, Mississippi for a short stint at Greenville Air Force Base. In Greenville, they were blessed with their 5th child, daughter Rachel Marie, born in February 1961. The family moved again later that year, this time to Topeka, Kansas, and Forbes Air Force Base. Rose and Leo enjoyed their time in Kansas, and even experienced the great Topeka tornado of 1966. They stayed in Kansas until summer 1968, when they moved back to Rome. Promoted to "Fire Chief", Leo returned to take the helm where it all began at Griffiss Air Force Base. Leo enjoyed 10 great years as Chief, until his retirement in 1978. His friends and family continued to call him "Chief" throughout his life. Rose retired as few years later from her position as the head operating room nurse at the Rome Developmental Center, and soon after they decided to make Fort Pierce, Florida, their home. They remained in Florida for over 30 years, until Rose passed away on May 3, 2015. Leo moved back to Rome in 2016 so he could be near his family once again. Leo was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus in Rome and Fort Pierce, where he was Grand Knight. He also had a passion for helping the needy, and he helped build the Treasure Coast Food Bank into the largest hunger relief organization and the only food bank in a four county area of central Florida. He was bestowed the Osteen Award in 2014 by Governor Rick Scott and the Rotary Club of Fort Pierce for his service to his community. In 2013 Leo and Rose were permanently honored for their military service on the Wall of Honor at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Leo and Rose proudly served their country in WWII. Rose served in the Army Medical Corp and Leo in the U.S. Navy. Their legacy will live on. Leo is survived by two sons, Leo Capoccia (wife Paula), Rome, and John Capoccia, Houston, TX; a daughter, Rachel Capoccia (husband Les Hairrell), Los Angeles, CA, a daughter in law, Becky Capoccia, Leewood, KS; 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Leo was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Rose, their daughter Peggy Anne, and their son, Ronald. The family would like to thank the staff at the Terrace at Woodland where Leo lived in 2017, and extend an especially heartfelt thank you to the staff at Rome Memorial Hospital 3 North for the compassion and care they showed to Leo during his final months. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Peter's Church, Rome, with Rev. Philip Hearn officiating. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Friday from 6-8 P.M. at Strong-Burns & Sprock Funeral Home 7751 Merrick Road, Rome. Interment will take place in St. John's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.