Charles E. Capello, “Charlie,” 98, of 6 Ancient County Way, Manchester died at his son's home on Pine Street on Thursday, July 18, from pneumonia. He was surrounded by his family when he peacefully passed away. Charlie was born in Manchester on April 4, 1921 to Leonardo and Eliza (Francis) Capello. He was the youngest of ten children. He attended Manchester schools and married his high school sweetheart, Marian Cook, after returning from his Army service in World War II. He served in England and France as a medical technician. In 1948, a daughter, Patricia (Patti) was born followed by a son, Leonard (Lenny) in 1950. Charlie and Marian were married 45 years until Marian's death in 1992 at the age of 66.
Charlie worked for the Manchester Highway Department for many years and then for the School Department as a custodian and a "very cool" bus driver. Charlie was also a part-time lobsterman hauling fifty traps after work. He made his own wooden traps in a backyard shed and hung his painted buoys on a clothesline. Marian knit the heads for the traps in the living room. They were a good team.
Both Patti and Lenny remember an idyllic childhood with loving, active parents who brought them to the Playground, Singing Beach, and set them loose in the neighborhood to play baseball, ride bikes, and play games. Charlie's son, Lenny, married a Manchester girl, Jean Fitzgerald. They have two children, Catherine and John. Patti married a Colorado man, Charles Langmaid, and has two step-daughters, Kim and Elissa. Jess Mello joined the family in 2015 when she married Charlie's grandson, John.
Charlie was a wonderful man and he will be sorely missed.
A graveside service will be held at Pleasant Grove Cemetery Manchester-by-the-Sea on Wednesday July, 24 at 1:30 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held in the Campbell Funeral Home 525 Cabot Street Beverly on Tuesday, July 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. Contributions may be made in his name to All Care Hospice 210 Market Street Lynn MA 01901. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com
