He’s been a member of Christ the King Parish, Haddonfield for 75 years, and has attended daily Mass there for 73 of those years. He was married for 50 years, was a member of Tavistock Country Club for 60 years, and was with RCA for 45 years.
He stopped playing golf when he was 95, and stopped driving when he turned 98.
On June 25, Nick Cappello will turn 100.
Nick says he followed the advice of his favorite football coach, the great Vince Lombardi, who said that his priorities were God first, family second and everything else third. Another inspiration was his friend and fellow parishioner Bart Sheehan, a former judge, New Jersey assemblyman and executive vice president of the Camden Trust Bank who died — at age 97 (another youngster) —10 years ago as a Jesuit brother at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
Nick has his inspirations, and he in turn has been an inspiration to me. I’ve known him about 20 years. This guy doesn’t dwell on the past or worry about tomorrow “because it’s always a day away.”
He’s content to exercise everyday on his stationary bicycle, watch sports on television, read and garden. He spends the rest of his time in prayer.
He is pre-deceased by his wife. Virginia, and his daughter Michele Marie Cappello. He has three sons, Roger, Ronald and Nicholas, and a daughter, Barbara (Priem) Kilcullen. He is also the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
He never seems depressed and has no fear of death.
Here is a guy who rose from a tool and dye maker at RCA to executive vice president of Human Resources and Labor Relations for the RCA Systems, which includes eight facilities in the United States and Canada.
For several years he was Camden County campaign chairman for the Red Cross Fund Drive, as well as general chairman of the Camden County United Way Campaign.
A member of Christ the King since 1936, he was president of the Holy Name Society for many years. He is a recipient of the Bishop’s Medal and a papal honor, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross.
Despite all of his accomplishments, those of us who know Nick know that his most defining characteristics are his humility, honesty and integrity. Just a great guy.
William F. Ezekiel is a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Haddon Heights.
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