Michael Bruce Kapon of Bridgehampton Dies July 27

Michael Bruce Kapon of Bridgehampton, NY, passed on July 27th at the Hampton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Southampton. He was 85 years of age and died after a fall in his home. Michael was born in New York City on February 20, 1939, son of Rupert William and Irene Kapon. He attended Columbia University, but left before graduating to help his father and his mother who was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis. Michael became a devout oenophile when, in 1969, he tasted a red California cabernet produced by Robert Mondavi. From that moment on, he followed in his father’s footsteps and took over the operation of Acker, Merrall & Condit, America’s oldest wine shop, located on the west side of Manhattan. He returned the company to its pre-Prohibition fine wine roots, relishing the opportunity to get people to drink wine instead of liquor, which was a much harder task in the 1970s than it is today. In 1986, he bought a brownstone at 160 West 72nd Street, where Acker has resided ever since.

Michael was a political activist as well as a staunch supporter of friends. Whether it was his friendships with radical thinkers such as Michael Harrington and William Kunstler, or offering work to persecuted African nationals who had to flee their country, or standing up against threats when he supported Ceasar Chavez and the California grape pickers, he was there. He also helped many a struggling actor who needed income between jobs. His support of the arts didn’t stop with out-of-work actors, as he joined forces with John Houseman and Margot Harley and produced “The Robber Bridegroom” on Broadway. An unrecognized musician, he played drums and piano and frequented many jazz spots in NYC where he got to sit in, on occasion, with Cozy Cole, who was also his mentor on the drums.

Michael is survived by his wife of 54 years, Leslie, and his three sons. His eldest son, John, now heads Acker Wines and Acker Wine Auctions. His second son, Jesse Kapon, resides in Manhattan with his two daughters, and his youngest son James Kapon lives in Bridgehampton, NY, with his son and two daughters. In all, Michael is survived by nine grandchildren ages 10 through 24. They were the lights of his life, and nothing gave him more pleasure than to see them grow into happy, responsible, and loving people. Michael was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald Andrew Kapon, who died last November 22, 2023, at the age of 88.