GIUSTO D. CAPELLA

Giusto Capella, known to friends as Gus and Giustino to family, was born in Prezzo, in Pieve di Bono, Trentino Italy. During his early years he lived there with his mother and two brothers, while his father lived and worked in the US. Typical of other children in the rural Tyrolean village, Giustino helped manage the family land and animals. But he also became a primary caregiver to his paternal grandfather, who suffered from dementia: a daunting task for a young boy, and one he would recount throughout his life. Shortly after the onset of World War II, Giustino was enrolled in a boarding school in the city of Trento. He remained a student there for 6 years, and the physical separation from Prezzo combined with the uncertainty of war time instilled in him an extraordinary attachment to the concept of “home.” That bond grew even stronger when he returned to the village for only one year, after which he, his mother and brothers immigrated to Solvay, NY to join his father. The trip culminated on his 20th birthday when their ship landed in New York City. Once settled in his new home, Giustino became a student at Solvay High School and graduated in 1950. Later that year he enrolled in the State University College of Forestry at Syracuse University, today’s SUNY-ESF—making him the first of his family to attend college. His course work included the mandatory summer session at Cranberry Lake, which reminded him of the “old country.” At the main campus, he became an avid supporter of Syracuse University football and remained a life-long fan. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in 1954, Giustino worked for local lumber and construction companies. Eventually he used his education in resource management to develop a career in supply administration, spending the bulk of his time with a local branch of Prestolite, a global manufacturer of electrical equipment. As he began his post-college life, he met his future wife Jennie while out one night with friends. They married in 1956 and bought a house in Solvay—just a short walk away from his parents and both brothers. This proximity to extended family became a defining feature of his life, and seemed to diminish the loss he felt in leaving his home in Prezzo. It also made it easy to instill his Tyrolean heritage in his nuclear family, as there was always someone nearby who could help recount stories and pass on traditions. One of the most important of those customs was insisting that any visitor to his home had plenty to eat and drink. He was unrelenting in his offers of beer, wine or schnappa [a family home-brew], and was quick to set up a platter of sweet or savory foods. More often than not, he was successful in getting his guests slightly inebriated and their appetites sated. Giustino returned to Prezzo only twice after moving to the States, but it clearly remained his one true home. His love of that village and its traditions is his legacy. Giustino is predeceased by his wife Jennie [nee Bianchi], parents Frank and Rosina Capella, and brother Rudy Capella. He is survived by his brother Mario Capella, daughter Christine Capella Peters [Donald], son Stephen [Jackie] Capella; grandchildren Britta [Michael] Millan, Cara Peters [Stephen Breski], Alexander Capella and Abigail Capella; great-grandson Gino Millan; several nieces and nephews; and grand-nieces and nephews. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Monday, February 12th at BAGOZZI TWINS FUNERAL HOME, 2601 Milton Avenue, Solvay. Funeral services and burial will be private for the family only. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Giustino’s name to the Food Bank of Central New York at www.foodbankcny.org. Please share online tributes at www.bagozzitwins.com.

GIUSTO D. CAPELLA

May 22, 1927 - February 7, 2024