Mario A. DeCapua, Jr., 87, of Wethersfield, formerly of Hartford, passed away Friday, January 16, 2015 at St. Francis Hospital, surrounded by his family. Born in New Haven, he was the son of Mario and Rose (DeLise) DeCapua. Mario graduated from The Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford with a degree in Music Education and married his college sweetheart and best friend Anne Marie Lyons in 1955. He proudly served his country during the Korean War in the 43rd Division Band in Germany. His Band of Brothers were lifetime friends. He did his graduate work at CCSU, Fairfield Univ., Sacred Heart Univ. and UCONN. Mario was employed as a music teacher by the town of Newington for 35 years. He was the "Music Man" at the John Wallace Middle School with outstanding 6,7, and 8th grade bands. An award in his name is given yearly to a deserving Wallace Middle School music student. He was appointed Captain of the First Co. Governor's Foot Guard Band in 1974 and led the band for the presidential parade of President Carter, as well as, the Connecticut Inauguration parades of Governors Grasso and O'Neill. Mario also enjoyed conducting many concerts at West Farms Mall and area parks. He and Anne Marie had 59 wonderful years together. They traveled Europe, loving Italy, the United Kingdom, the USA, Hawaii and Alaska and enjoyed many wonderful cruises. They also spent many winters together in Arizona. Mario was an avid Red Sox and UCONN Men's and Women's Basketball fan. He was predeceased by his daughter Maryanne Karimian and two brothers, Victor and Anthony. Besides his wife, he is survived by his son Mark DeCapua and his wife Janet of Glastonbury; a son-in-law Reza Karimian and his wife Carol of Tolland; his grandchildren Parisa and Daniel Karmian of Wethersfield and Matthew and Alyssa DeCapua of Glastonbury; a sister-in-law Rita DeCapua and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, (January 24), 11:00 am at the Church of St. Luke, 66 Bolton St., Hartford. Burial will be private. Donations in Mario's memory may be made to the Office of Radio and Television, Archdiocese of Hartford, 15 Peach Orchard Rd., Prospect, CT 06719 or the Church of St. Luke, 66 Bolton St., Hartford, CT 06114.
The Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, West Hartford has care of the arrangements. For online expressions, please visit www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com. "On the road of life, it's not where you go, but who you're going with that makes the difference."