Frank F. Cappozzo, 96, of Chatham, died peacefully on Monday, September 23, 2019.
Born in Chatham, NY, on September 3, 1923, he was the son of the late Fred Cappozzo and
Maddalena Darne Cappozzo.
He was a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy and Syracuse University. As a young
man, Frank was an avid hunter and archer. He owned and operated Cappozzo's Store in Chatham
for many years until 1984. After closing the store, he spent several years as a tour guide at
Lindenwald in Kinderhook, NY.
Frank was a member of the American Legion Post 42 and the Sanford W. Smith Hook
& Ladder Company and a past member of the Chatham Rod & Gun Club. He was a veteran of
WWII having served in the US Army Air Corps where he was a crew member of the B-29 Ninth
Bombardment Group which was stationed in the South Pacific. In 1945 Frank was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for "extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial
flight" in the Mariana Islands. He also earned the Air Medal with four clusters, the Good
Conduct Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with two stars.
Frank was predeceased by his wife Rose (Koller) Cappozzo and his daughter, Sharon E.
Fredericks. He is survived by his sons Frank D. Cappozzo and Fred J. Cappozzo; son-in-law
Peter Fredericks; grandchildren Stacey Bean (Trevor), Jocelyn Cappozzo, Glen Cappozzo
(Danielle), Lindsay Cappozzo, Matthew Fredericks, Sydney Fredericks and Samuel Fredericks;
many nieces, nephews and cousins; and his good friend, Barbara Gleichauf. The family wishes
to extend special thanks to Frank's longtime care givers, Laurie Johnson, Alyssa Cascante and
Janelle Moran as well as to the Veteran's Administration Home Team and the Columbia-Greene
Hospice Team.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Frank's family on Monday, September 30
from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm at Wenk Funeral Home, Chatham, NY. A memorial service will be
at1:30 pm followed by interment in St. James Cemetery, Ghent, NY.
Donations in Frank's memory may be made to the Payn Home, 12 Coleman Street,
Chatham, NY 12037 or to The Community Hospice Foundation of Columbia-Greene, 310 S.
Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208