John Capalbo

John Capalbo (born Giovanni), co-owner of C&C Automotive Service, Inc., died peacefully on September 24, 2026, surrounded by his family. Born on September 17, 1943 in Rende, Cosenza, Calabria, Italy he was the son of the late Michele Capalbo and Teresa (Spizzirri).

John was an expert mechanic, restoring a number of vehicles over the years, an avid gardener and wine maker, and a professional at curing meats like soppressata and capicollo, recently purchasing a large curing refrigerator to master the art. He loved sharing his ideas and experiences with everyone.

Since coming to America in 1962, he worked as a mechanic at several small locations and a Chevy dealership until he and his brother Frank opened C&C Automotive Service, Inc. in 1976 in Newington.

John had three sisters but was closest to his brother Frank. From birth they were inseparable. They immigrated to the United States after a cold December/January voyage by sea. When they were naturalized, they began the team of ‘Frank and John’, and that is how we all knew them.

Frank and John not only worked together, they lived together, vacationed together, went to the store, the market, and the farm together. They purchased real estate together here and in Italy. Wherever you’d see one the other was right there.

John never married but he treated two nephews and a niece like his children. Michele, who he also worked with for over 25 years, Teresa and Giovanni, all who resided in the family home with their parents and John until each were in their 30s, in typical Italian style. John absolutely loved Frank and Mary’s children and grandchildren. Life will certainly be different for all of us in the Capalbo family, as we will miss someone who has been there for as long as we can remember.

John leaves two sisters in Italy, Caterina (her late husband Serafino) along with her daughters Assunta and husband Armando, Rosanna and husband Giuseppe and Franca and husband Giorgio and 16 great-nieces and nephews; Luigina (her late husband Salvatore) along with her children, Domenico and wife Anna, Maria Teresa and husband Paolo and Michele and wife Grazia and seven great nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his sister, Fiorentina and her late husband Dominic. John is survived by her children and their spouses, Frank and Debbie, Mike and Sina, Mary, Kenny and numerous great nieces and nephews.

John leaves his brother, business partner, and best friend, Frank and his wife Mary, the ultimate homemaker, their children Michele and wife Ali and their children Francesco and Giovanni; Teresa and husband Brian (Seifel) and their children Anthony and Gabriella; and nephew Giovanni Capalbo.

The family would like to thank everyone at the Conklin Building, 2nd floor, doctors, staff and especially all the wonderful nurses as well as all the wonderful nurses of Bliss SE step-down unit, they were exceptionally kind and understanding. We would also like to deeply thank everyone at the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center and the Oncology Center with a special thank you to Valentina who was always there to help. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Devendra KC who was instrumental in pursuing every treatment available, and his right-hand Trever for his calm and expert explanations. A heartfelt thank you also to Sandra Gordon, who was a calming presence providing information and comfort measures and care during difficult times.

In lieu of flowers consider making a donation in John’s memory to the Leukemia Research Foundation.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, October 5th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. The funeral procession will begin at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6th for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Christ the King Parish at Corpus Christi Church, 601 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Entombment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com