Obituary of Peter L. Cappuccilli, Sr.

Peter L Cappuccilli, Sr., 90, of Syracuse went to Our Lord on Thursday, April, 27, 2017 from his warm and love filled home where he was surrounded by his adoring family. Peter was born on Tipperary Hill in Syracuse, NY to the late Leopold and Antoinette Cappuccilli on August 29, 1926. Peter, "Prez", "Cappy" or "Pop", was the patriarch of his family of 31, their fearless and optimistic leader who was an inspiration to all who knew him. He counseled many generations of family and friends with his sage advice, wisdom, guidance and wealth of business and life experiences. His deep faith and devotion to his family was his life's compass, leaving cherished memories and wonderful examples for all who he knew and loved. Peter honorably served in the military and was a Veteran of World War II. As a 17 year old civilian, in 1943, Peter joined the Engineering Department of the Army Air Force in Washington DC. He then enlisted and served in the Army Engineering Corps in the Southwest Pacific from 1944 to 1946. In 1947 Peter began a business career that spanned 60 years that earned him the title, among friends, co-workers, associates, community leaders and professionals alike, of "The Prez". As with everything in his life, business was an extension of his family and was built upon the strength of his bond with his brothers and business partners, Rocco, Al and Tony. Together, these brothers created an enterprise that served as a training ground and foundation for three generations of an ongoing family business that would include many of their sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, grandchildren and extended family members. Starting with Cappy's of Syracuse, Inc. in 1947, and continuing with its successor, Community Technology. Inc., Peter was the principal and driving force, supported by and in partnership with his brothers, behind what became one of the largest and most respected developers and builders of home and apartment projects in New York State. Humbly starting as a painting, decorating and remodeling company, Peter and his brothers quickly expanded into new home construction, then into large scale residential, commercial and public utility and infrastructure development and construction. Peter's innovation in tract development, modular construction, cluster zoning, planned unit development, condominium sales and private development of public infrastructure brought revolutionary change to the local real estate community and influential change to the national real estate industry. In the early sixty's, under new state legislation that Peter helped draft, promote and get passed, he built the first privately owned and operated sewage disposal plant in New York State. This ground breaking legislation and his pioneering spirit brought revolutionary change and expansion of large scale residential housing to the suburbs. This lead to his construction of thousands of single family homes, and ultimately Peter's crowning achievement, the development of the first "Planned Unit Development" community in upstate New York, Village Green. Village Green is a 500 acre, 2, 500 home community in Baldwinsville NY. It consists of single family homes as well as, condominium townhouses, villas, patio homes and apartments to rent or own. Its unique high density, cluster design, incorporating a variety of community amenities, including an 18 hole championship golf course, parks, walking trails, tennis courts, swimming areas and retail and commercial areas, was an award winning breakthrough in residential development. Peter introduced condominium home ownership in upstate New York with the development and construction of Village Green Condominiums I, II, III, IV, V and VI between 1972 and1990, Watertree of Dewitt I and II in 1974 and 1979 respectively, Highbridge Landing in Dewitt in 1980, Harbor House in Oswego in 1982, Chestnut Hills in Utica and The Bishops House Estates in Syracuse in 1983, Casual Estates in Clay in 1984 and Camelot in Camillus in 1986. Peter's efforts were widely recognized, lauded and awarded by his peers, other professionals and community leaders. Peter was named "Businessman of the Year in Construction" in 1961 by the Syracuse Herald Journal/Herald American and "Builder of the Year in 1972" by the New York State Home Builders Association. Peter served as President of the Home Builders Association of Greater Syracuse, Inc., and the New York State Home Builders Association, he was the Regional Vice President of the National Home Builders Association and a member of the codes committee of the National Association of Home Builders, Washington, DC. Peter was active in civic and community causes serving as the first Chairman of the Onondaga County Solid Waste Authority, and as a member of the Highway Committee, Codes Committee, and the Onondaga County Public Works Advisory Board. Peter was also an active member and participant of the Community Chest, Syracuse Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau. Peter was an active and dedicated Republican serving as the Vice Chairman of the Onondaga County Republican Committee, a member of the Republican State Committee, and the Director and Vice President of the Republican Citizens Committee. Peter was Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Lincoln Republican Club and was a candidate for the New York State Assembly in 1966 who ran under the indelible slogan "Be Happy Vote Cappy" An avid golfer, he was a proud member of the Tuscarora Golf Club for 62 years, founder of the Village Green Golf and Country Club (Foxfire), a charter member of Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Florida and member of the Syracuse Golf Bandits. Peter was active in the Roman Catholic Church serving his parish, St. Charles Borromeo, as a Trustee and as the Chairman of the parish's' 1961 school and church expansion and its 1986 renovation. Peter was a 4th degree member of the Christ the King Council of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Pennoch Post 2893 of the VFW. In addition to his parents, Peter was predeceased by his loving wife of 65 years, Grace A Cappuccilli, his sister Josephine Geiss, his brother Tony and his great-granddaughter, Faith Cappuccilli Auringer. He is survived by his loving children; Peter (Marilyn) Cappuccilli, Paul (Marcia) Cappuccilli, Lucy Paris (Anthony), Lisa Smith (Jack); nine grandchildren: Marnie (Steve) Medeiros, Molly (Kurt) Stroman, Megan (James) Auringer, Matthew, Michael, Anthony (Lisa) Paris, Peter and David Paris and Lucas Smith; seven great grandchildren: Steven, Sydney, Peter, Grace, Sammy, Schuyler and Giada; his sister, Mary Paratore; brothers, Rocco and Alfred Cappuccilli; grand dogs, Luna, Posada and Carlos and many wonderful in-laws, nieces and nephews. Peter's family is especially grateful to his capable caregivers Megan and James Auringer, Ellaine Hallett, Barb Waite, and his Doctors Longo, Paris, Riccardi and Todd, Kelly Stewart, NP and his Physical Therapist's Gabe, Julie and Pat. Family and friends are welcome to attend a Funeral Mass in celebration of Peter's life at 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at St. Charles/St. Ann's Parish at St. Charles Church, 501 S. Orchard Road, Syracuse, NY 13219. Entombment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum, Dewitt. Contributions can be made to St. Charles/St. Ann's Parish, 4471 Onondaga Blvd, Syracuse, NY 13219.