English was my minor at Suffolk University and I had the pleasure of taking a class called Eliot and Dickens during my Senior year.  I wish I had met him earlier as I too would have been gratefully counted among his lucky repeat students.  Although initially reluctant to delve into the copious amounts of reading material he assigned in class I soon found myself yearning for more .  He had an infectious passion for literature that enlivened the material and made it relevant to our lives.  He was also a caring professor who would meet with you after class and during office hours to discuss ways to improve one's writing style and focus.  Beyond his brilliance with literature however he was a down to earth person with great insight and an equally good sense of humor.   If there is a Heaven I'm sure he is continuing to make as much of a positive impact there as he has made here.

Peter, we are so grateful on this Thanksgiving Day for having had you in our lives for 63 years. We are proud that you will remain, throughout time, mom's devoted son and my beloved brother. 

Your sister, Theresa

My sincerest condolences extend to his family! I was a former Writing Center tutor under Dr. Caputo many years ago, and I just Googled him to look up his recent work, only to discover this sad news. He was such a friendly, encouraging, inspirational person! What a wonderful human being!

I REMEMBER PETER FROM OUR DAYS IN BROOKLYN AND KNEW HIM THOUGH HIS SISTER THERESA. PETER ALWAYS LOVED LITERATURE. I AM HAPPY HE HAD FOUND HIS LIFE DREAM TO EMERSE HIMSELF IN TEACHING IT. I AM VERY SADDENED BY HIS PASSING. LOVE AND PRAYERS TO THERESA AND FAMILY. JUDY (GRYAK), TOM SALEMME AND FAMILY

It is with great sadness I read of Peter's passing. My name is Georgeann Casavilla and I also graduated with Peter from Regina Pacis school. He was one of those young boys who had such a handsome face and devilish smile. May God bless him and have him smile down on everyone who knew him. God bless you Peter as a former classmate of yours I can only say, you were too young to leave us.

Peter and I graduated from Regina Pacis grammar school in Brooklyn, NY in 1964.  He was such a great guy.  I was in touch with him during the past year. He was so elated when he received our class of 1964 reunion T-shirt.  He was looking forward to attending our 50th anniversary reunion this year but God had other plans for him.  I and the other 1964 classmates will miss him dearly.  Peter, rest in peace.  My sincerest condolences go out to his family for their loss.

I grew up with Peter in the early 1960's in Brooklyn.  Even though I did not see him in the past 45 years or so, and found him through social media I miss him greatly.  He was a fine young man and I never knew how accomplished he was.  Believe me when I tell you, no finer young man lived.  God bless you Peter.

The tributes from Peter's students are the fruit of his lifetime of dedication to his teaching. Peter was the perfect teacher-scholar.  ANY task that he undertook at Suffolk was always a demonstration of his devotion to his profession, which was for him a vocation. He was also an outstanding colleague, supportive and loyal always.  His grace and self-possession during his illness demonstrate again that he was consistently and profoundly a teacher.
 
"For all we thought and loved and did,
And hoped, and suffer'd, is but seed
Of what in them is flower and fruit;

Whereof the man, that with me trod
This planet, was a noble type
Appearing ere the times were ripe,
That friend of mine who lives in God..."

The memories of Peter that most resonate with me as his colleague in the English Department are those that showed his committed dedication to any pedagogical or intellectual project he chose to undertake, whether it was the careful procedures associated with bringing students to the Writing Center he founded, the meticulous review of a colleague's work for promotion or hiring, a thoughtful response to a request for feedback on a new idea for the English major, or his attention to the frequent writing assignments he relied upon to foster his students' engagement with the readings for classes.  His legacy lives on especially in those current and former students to whom he was devoted.  Over my 15 years at Suffolk, they have told me of their positive experiences in his classes (especially reading Don Quixote and the Metamorphoses).  Peter's learned guidance has inspired many members of the Suffolk community to rise to the challenge of improving their skills and increasing their knowledge.  

Lisa Celovsky
Worcester, MA

I had the pleasure of working with Dr Caputo on numerous courses at suffolk. I attribute a large part of my success in literature and my motivation to continue study to his influence and encouragment. I can't say enough kind words to this man's memory, and his passing has affected me
greatly. He was an inspirational educator, and a kind hearted person who possessed a rare gift and passion for the world of words. Quite simply, he was blindingly brilliant. In fact, the first literature course I took as a freshman at Suffolk was with Dr Caputo, and its likely that my life would be different had I not met him. There's so much to say, and even more that went unsaid. But I want to say Thank You, Peter.

Jonny

Peter was a marvelous colleague, a thorough professional and a warm human being.  His family, colleagues, friends and students were lucky to have had him in their lives.

Dr. Caputo, as I still believe he'd prefer me to call him, holds a special place in my heart. For all the professors I've know and worked with (Fred Marchant, I'm looking at you!) that have always sought to say the right thing, to nurture, I admired Dr. Caputo differently. Don't get me wrong; he was always supportive, and incredibly helpful. However, I will always most fondly look back at the time I spent in his cozily lit office, passing the day in a slow writing center, arguing and defending just about everything. He was a force, he was an outstanding mind, and he truly helped me to develop an appreciation of discourse in a very rewarding manner. My heart goes out to those feeling this loss, and to those students who will miss out on the opportunity to interact with this educator.

I knew Peter as a teacher and a mentor, while I was a student and writing tutor at Suffolk University. More than that, however, I counted on Peter as a supportive friend. As a teacher, Peter was insightful, enthusiastic, and open.  As a boss, he was extremely funny, with a quick wit, though he always amazed me with his appropriately timed, compassionate touch.  As a student, I was enormously fortunate to have him. He made art and literature vital.  He will be missed.

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the Caputo family. Professor Caputo profoundly affected my life for the better, challenging me with many new ideas and helping me to become a better writer.  What I remember most, however, is that he did this in an unfailingly gentle manner and was always generous with his time. He will always be in my thoughts.

Professor Caputo was dedicated, passionate, and down to earth. He was always willing to go out of his way to help myself or other students succeed. He was one of the kindest professors that I have had the opportunity to take at Suffolk University. Along with Ryan, I will never forget our ping pong matches and many conversations about life in general. I can still see him sitting in his chair, drinking a Perrier!

I send along my condolences to his family during this tough time. Rest in peace Professor Caputo.

As Director of the Math Support Center, I had countless opportunities to consult with Peter. Even though we were in different disciplines, he always  listened very patiently and then offered great suggestions. I will miss him.

Jeanne Le Suer Dodge(Center for Learning and Academic Success, Developmental English and Math Programs)

I was lucky enough to see Peter most days of the week during the school year as his office mate. His sense of humor and open heart were there for me. I will miss our conversations and love of music, food and wine. I seemed like every year I learned something new about him for the 13 years I worked with him. I will always remember his him and his stories about his dad as well as his admiration of his sister and love of his mom.

Peter was a great friend and colleague. He was honest, sincere, and compassionate, a kind man who was always ready to reach out to his friends and students in a quiet and gentle manner. His passing is a profound loss to us all. We will miss him dearly.

Peter Caputo influenced me in ways that will remain for my entire life. He didn't just make better writers out of people, but better thinkers and ultimately better livers. His love of art was tied to his vivaciousness for life. He made me rethink so many things I had taken as assumptions and made me found beauty in so many things I had never bothered to look at. In addition to being a wonderful teacher, he was a wonderful friend. His door was always open, whether to discuss the intricacies of writing or the state of his beloved Yankees. For myself, and so many, college would have been far duller without him. It is tragic that future students will not be able to experience the amazing ride of being taught by him. His wit will live on in the words he wrote, and his spirit in those who learned from him.

It was always a pleasure to see Peter at the salon.  He was such a friendly and gentle man.  His visits will be missed.  My love and sympathy to Theresa and Mrs. Caputo.

Peter was a life-long friend and colleague, whose dedication to his teaching and his students was an inspiration to all who worked with him. We will miss profoundly his insight, his wit, and his sense of education as a shared venture of exploration and discovery. Thank you Peter, for all.

Professor Caputo was one of the nicest people that I have had the opportunity get to know in the classroom. He was one of the first classes that I had at Suffolk University and he made a lasting impression on me. He went out of his way to write recommendations for me, chat with me in his office, and help me in any way that he possibly could. Even though I was a business student, I loved how going to English class with him twice a week. I'll never forget the time he challenged me to a ping pong match before class and we ended up being 5 minutes late to class because we were having so much fun. He was a brilliant professor and an even better person. I loved his sense of humor and will miss him very much. I am deeply saddened by this news and will keep his entire family in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace, Professor Caputo. You will be deeply missed.

I was Professor Caputo's teaching assistant last spring during his battle with illness. I want to show you all the man, creative force, and inspiration to all of us that he was and still is, in his own words.

In a blank journal he once gave me: 

16 May 2013:

Dear Paul, 

All things should begin with a blank first page, but let me intrude just this once and inscribe:
-- My gratitude: for your help, for your support and friendship, especially at a time of great need. 
-- My confidence that you will fill the remaining pages, and all the pages of all the blank books of your life, with those songs that are heard only in the dark currents of the astral clock.
  Very best wishes, 
Peter Caputo


Peter was simply the greatest mentor, teacher, and friend, besides my father, that I have ever met. 

I will remain a dedicated student to this gracious man throughout my ENTIRE life. 

Thank you so much Peter. 

Love, 

Paul Rowe

Dr. Caputo was one of the finest men I have ever known. I am honored to have studied under him for four years in college, and am lucky to have been his colleague for the last six. He will forever remain part of my fond memories of Suffolk, and will always hold a special place in the English Department.  We're all heartbroken today.

Peter was a great friend and colleague, an inspiring teacher, who inspired us all to be better teachers. We were all fortunate to have known him.
Robert Allison

Dear Theresa and Mrs. Caputo,
 Words cannot express my sympathy and sadness at this time.  Peter listened to us all and comforted us.  Thank you for his life.  Eileen Feldman

Dear Caputo Family,
Peter was a good friend and colleague. I will greatly miss him and his quiet peaceful ways, his optimism, sharing his interests and his semse of humor. I am so sorry to hear the news of his passing and he will be greatly missed. 
Sheila M. Mahoney
Education Department

OBITUARIO

Peter Joseph Caputo

3 agosto, 1950 – 25 diciembre, 2013

J.S. Waterman Langone Chapel

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