John Richard Cap

Born on June 11, 1941, in Hammond, Indiana, John was the son of John Joseph Cap and Rose Bernadette Cap. Raised in a large Catholic family and the eldest of his six siblings, John carried throughout his life a strong sense of responsibility, loyalty, humor, and generosity toward those he loved.

John is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Sandra Patsy Cap, with whom he shared a lifetime of adventure, laughter, friendship, and unwavering partnership. He is survived as well by their three children: Christine (Cap) Winslow and her husband, John; Ann (Cap) LaRue; and John Robert Cap and his wife, Denise. He was a proud grandfather to Sarah Brianne Cohen, Abigail Brenna Cap, and Christopher (Topher) John LaRue, and a cherished great-grandfather to Martin King Cohen. John is further survived by his brothers Anthony, Matthew, and David. He was preceded in death by his beloved siblings, Aloysius, Jeanette, and Dominic.

John proudly served in the United States Navy from 1961 until his retirement in 1985, achieving the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9). Working as a Data Processor during a period of enormous technological change, he built a reputation for ingenuity, intelligence, reliability, and leadership. Following his military retirement, John cofounded Deployable Data Solutions, continuing his close relationship with the military community as a respected contractor and problem solver.

Although deeply accomplished professionally, those closest to John knew that his greatest gifts were personal. Over the course of his life, John built lasting friendships everywhere he went and countless people were better for having known him. He was quick with a booming belly laugh and even quicker with a helping hand. Friends, neighbors, and family members alike knew they could call John when something needed fixing, building, repairing, or figuring out. A lifelong learner with an endlessly inquisitive mind, he had the rare ability to teach patiently and without judgment — whether helping someone work on a car, tackling a home improvement project, or simply understanding how something worked.

John loved life fully and energetically. He and Sandi treasured traveling together in their RV, reconnecting with lifelong friends, and making new ones everywhere they went. They enjoyed cruises, adventures on the road, and the simple joy of being together. John was also an avid marathon runner and scuba diver, always eager to explore the world around him — especially Hawaii, where he raised his family and embraced the local saying, “No rain, no rainbows,” as a reflection of his outlook on life.

He loved building things with his hands, sharing meals and stories with family, and occasionally honoring his Polish roots by playing the accordion or gathering with loved ones to handcraft traditional Polish sausage. Everyone who knew John also knew about his legendary Bloody Marys, which became a symbol of his hospitality and gift for bringing people together.

Born colorblind, a condition that prevented him from becoming an electrician, John nevertheless spent his life seeing beauty everywhere — in people, in craftsmanship, in travel, in learning, and in the connections he built with others.

Per John’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. Tentative plans for a memorial gathering celebrating his life are presently being considered by the family.

In the meantime, those who loved him are left with countless stories, lessons, projects, laughter, and memories that will continue to live on in the lives he touched so deeply.

Fair winds and following seas, Master Chief. And aloha, Husband, Dad, and Friend.

Aloha is not goodbye. Aloha is love that remains.