Joseph Moses Caputo Sr. of Sag Harbor and Brooklyn Dies April 15

Joseph Moses Caputo Sr. of Sag Harbor and Brooklyn died after a brief illness on April 15 in Brooklyn, surrounded by his family. He was 85.

He was a proud Sag Harbor native, born on April 22, 1939, to Angelina M. Castantine and Angelo R. Caputo, both of Frattura, Provincia di L’Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy.

He grew up with his family on Madison Street, attended Sag Harbor schools, and was an active member of St. Andrews R.C. Church. Throughout his youth, he participated in activities, including cross-country track, basketball, swimming, school performances and talent shows, and he played trumpet in the Sag Harbor Community Band. He also had local jobs in town, including working at the grocery store and pharmacy, doing seasonal yard work, and driving a fishing boat.

He graduated from Pierson High School in 1956 and attended Brooklyn College. While studying in Brooklyn, he missed his family greatly and returned home at every opportunity, while never giving up his job at the Sag Harbor Bohack on Main Street. His family shared that his upbringing in Sag Harbor was the foundation on which his life was built held together with cornerstones of love, family, faith and hard work.

After graduating from college, he started his teaching career in the business and math department at Prospect Heights High School in Brooklyn. It was there that he met his future wife, Judith Mary O’Malley, a science teacher from Brooklyn. The couple married in June 1964 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Park Slope, and built a wonderful life together.

At Prospect Heights High School, he served as a business/math teacher, and soon became the school treasurer, effectively managing the school’s budget and financial matters with great integrity for the next 30 years. Early in his career, alongside his full-time teaching responsibilities, he taught evening classes, pursued his master’s degree, and his school administration certification at Baruch and City Colleges. Soon after, he became a school administrator, and following his retirement in the mid-1990s, worked part-time as a consultant for schools across the city.

His children noted that their dad shared many stories of growing up in Sag Harbor, and was sure to raise his family spending as much time as possible at their Sag Harbor home for long weekends, extended holidays, and summers. His children fondly remember many holiday gatherings with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in their Sag Harbor home.

He had a range of interests and skills, from gardening to real estate, but his greatest joy was his family. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren, who each brought great joy to his daily life. His children are confident that their father lived his life every day with purpose and strength, practicing values of family, faith, love, kindness, and dedication, which made him a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, who is leaving a lasting impact on those who loved him. A testament to their inspiration is that each of Joe and Judy’s five children followed in their footsteps as teachers and administrators.

He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Judith Mary (nee O’Malley); his eldest son, Joseph Moses Jr.; his parents, Angelina and Angelo Caputo; his siblings, Rose Vinje, Gino Caputo, Mary Rinaldi and Louisa Smith.

He is survived by his son James and wife Kristin, and grandsons, James, Matthew, and Rowan of Floral Park; his daughter Jennifer and husband Fabio, and granddaughter Giordana of Brooklyn; and daughters Judith and Jacqueline of Brooklyn.

Funeral arrangements were managed by M.J. Smith & Sons Funeral Home and services took place at Holy Name of Jesus Church, both under the direction of Father Ryan in Brooklyn. Committal Service was facilitated by Father Peter of St. Andrew’s Church at St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery in Sag Harbor on April 19.