Amerigo S. Cappellari, 92, of Hartsville, S.C., passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2009. Born in New York City, N.Y., he was a son of the late Severino and Margaret Bosia Cappellari. Mr. Cappellari was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, W.Va., and West Virginia University with a B.S. in education (1939) and a B.S. in civil engineering (1943). He was a member of Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Society and WVU Emeritus Society. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 62nd Engineering Battalion of the 44th Division during World War II in the European Theater. He was engaged in coal surface mining in southern West Virginia for 40 years and spent 45 years as a resident of Beckley, W.Va. He also had a home at Smith Mountain Lake, Va., for many years prior to moving to Hartsville in 2001. He was a charter member and past president of the State Chapter of WV Society of Professional Engineers, past state president of WV Society of Civil Engineers, president of the Civitan Club and PTA Central School, and was a Scoutmaster. He was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and Resurrection Catholic Church, a life member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Sons of Italy and the SML Lions Club. Fondly known as "Capp" or "Mr. C" by his many friends, he supported numerous charities, including the Cappellari Foundation, and was an energetic volunteer at the Carolina Pines Hospital and assisted-living communities in both Beckley and Hartsville. Surviving to cherish his memory, are his wife of 66 years, Rose Mary Benvenuto Cappellari, of Hartsville, S.C.; sons, David (Cindy) Cappellari, of Smith Mountain Lake, Va., Charlie (Frankie) Cappellari, of Beckley, W.Va., and Richard (Alana) Cappellari, of Beckley, W.Va.; daughters, Aurelia (Richard) Smith, of Hartsville, S.C., Mary Margaret Spica, of Wilder, Ky., and Anita (Fred) Dean, of Roanoke, Va.; a sister, Silea Luchini, of Beckley, W.Va.; nine grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on January 20, 2009, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hartsville, and final commendation and farewell prayers were said in Westview Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Brown-PenningtonAtkins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Cappellari may be made to Saint Ann's Media's "The Daily Mass," P.O. Box 111, Scranton, Pa. 18504-0111.
Published in the Roanoke Times on 1/28/2009