Edmond S. Caputo

passed away Mon. night, May 16, 2011, at his home at Chenango Lake.

Known affectionately as Eddie and “Johnny Bullhead”, Eddie was the son of Joseph and Elena Amelia

Merlino Caputo. He was born in Norwich in April of 1954, and attended school in Norwich where he

excelled in wrestling, ran cross country, and played baseball prior to his graduation in 1972. While attending

Ulster County Community College, his wrestling prowess took him all the way to the Jr. College Nationals in

Worthington, Minn. Eddie finished his education at SUNY Brockport, where he received a bachelor’s

degree in Criminal justice. He worked for a time as a probation officer for Chenango County, was a rural

carrier for the post office, and was a jr. varsity wrestling coach for Norwich High School under Don

Kovalchic. During those years, Eddie and a few college friends began painting houses in the area. In April

of 1984, Eddie was joined by his brother, Rick, and Caputo Brothers Painting became a reality. Operated by

the brothers for 30 years, Caputo Brothers Painting was awarded the Gem award for small businesses from

the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce.

Eddie was deeply involved in his community, his church, and several causes that were dear to his heart.

A life-long member of St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, Eddie was the first to volunteer. In his youth, he

was an altar boy, and helped the church run the bingo games. He had served in just about all of their projects

and programs, including the Feast Day, Father’s Day Brunch, St. Bartholomew’s Procession, and spaghetti

suppers. Eddie, along with a few close friends and family members took it upon themselves to restore an old

statue of St. Bartholomew that Eddie found in the local church. His devotion to the church was always

blatant, to the point that he continued to work on the interior of St. Bartholomew’s until the day he was

physically unable to climb a ladder. His deep passion for restoring local churches is also shown by his work

at St. Paul’s, Broad Street United Methodist, and St. Malachy’s churches, in addition to St. Bart’s, and in the

Kendrew church in the north country.

Eddie was a strong spirited individual who challenged himself in everything he did. He loved camping,

especially in the Adirondacks where he had just purchased a camp, and in Tortola in the Virgin Islands.

Eddie was an organizer of the Perch Derby at Chenango Lake, where he had made his home for numerous

years, and of the “squirrel roast” which began as letters to his friends and turned into a popular event which

was written up in the New York Times. Dedicated to the fight to end leukemia, he had participated in the

leukemia runs, including the one in London, England. After Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans,

Eddie was one of the volunteers who went down to paint the newly constructed homes. He served as a

member of the Unadilla Valley school board, was a supporter and participant in the YMCA’s Turkey Trot,

and had gone snowboarding and skiing in Utah and at Gore Mt. and Killington. Everyone who knew Eddie

knew he lived in “Eddie’s Time”, which meant he took no notice of the clock and was perpetually late for

everything.

On Aug. 3, 1985, in Norwich, Eddie married Kimberly A. Gaylord. He is survived by his wife, Kim,

and daughters Jessica and Abigail; his parents, Joseph and Elena Amelia; his sister, Grace Mooney and

husband Mike; and brothers Anthony “Nouch” and wife Sue, and Rick and wife Dagny, all of Norwich. Also

surviving are canine buddies Burton and Lady, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Eddie will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Mon., May 23, from St.

Bartholomew’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Ralph Bove, Pastor of St. Bartholomew’s, and the Rev. Anthony

LaFache, Pastor of St. Anthony’s Church in Utica, will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the R. J. Fahy

Funeral Home on Sun. from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

Eddie’s family would appreciate memorial contributions to either St. Bartholomew’s Church, 8 Silver

St., Norwich, NY 13815; or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY

13815.