John A. Capasso passed away at 2:05 PM on December 1, 2011 in his home in Chenoa. He was 87 years old. A visitation will be held from 1 to 2PM Sunday, December 4, 2011 at First United Presbyterian Church of Chenoa. His funeral service will be held at 2:30PM on Sunday, December 4th also at the church, with Rev. Daniel Patterson officiating. Burial will be in the Chenoa Cemetery, Chenoa. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Capasso was born October 31, 1924 in Mt. Vernon, New York, the youngest son of James Joseph and Elizabeth Josephine Vecchione Capasso, both natives of Italy.

After graduating from A. B. Davis High School in Mt. Vernon, he attended Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, on a baseball scholarship. As did many young men of his generation, he answered the call to defend his country in W. W. II, fighting with the 2nd Marine Division in the island campaigns of Guam, Saipan, and Tinian.

At the conclusion of the war, and after a brief stint as a minor league baseball player, he returned to Wesleyan, finished his degree, and met the love of his life, Virginia Lee Parry. They were wed August 10, 1952. She survives in Chenoa.

The Capassos made their home in Chenoa for most of their married life. Mr. Capasso helped operate the C. W. Parry and Son grain company until 1969, when the business was sold. He then served as administrative assistant in charge of civil service at Milner Library, Illinois State University, assisting with the move to the present Milner in the mid-70s. He retired in 1992.

A community-minded man, he also served as Chenoa Township Supervisor from 1968 until his retirement in 1994, Fourth-of-July Parade co-organizer in the 60s, a member of the Chenoa #9 Board of Education, and a little league baseball coach. He was for many years an IHSA basketball and football official.

He was a member of the 1st United Presbyterian Church of Chenoa, participating in its leadership as a deacon and ruling elder.

His parents, and his brothers Jim and Steve preceded him in death.

Besides his beloved wife, "Ginny," Mr. Capasso is survived by daughter Cathy (Dan) Baird, Austin, TX; son John (Jean-Marie), Fairbury; son Jeffrey (Regan), Windsor, CO; and granddaughters, Holly and Heather Baird, both college students in Atlanta, GA.

Mr. Capasso was an avid New York Yankee and Notre Dame Fighting Irish football fan. He was a loving father and husband and will be greatly missed by all who had the fortune to be near him.

Memorials may be made to SELCAS Ambulance and Annabell Golden (homecare coordinator).