Following is the obituary for EDWARD JOSEPH CAPASSE, submitted for the family by the Harding Funeral Home.

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Edward Joseph Capasse, 91, of Vero Beach, Fla., and Westport, passed away peacefully Aug. 4, 2022, surrounded by his family. 

Born Oct. 1, 1930, in Westport, he was the son of the late Edward T. Capasse (former Westport police captain) and the late Theresa (PrunoLo) Capasse.

Growing up in Westport, Edward attended Staples High School, where he met his late wife of 48 years, Esther Ann (Mondella) Capasse, a graduate of Good Counsel College (1952) and a Westport school teacher. 

He later attended Fairfield University (1952) and Boston College Law School (1955), whereupon he embarked on a prominent law career in Westport for over 60 years, first with Tate, Capasse & Johnson, and later, Nevas, Nevas & Capasse. 

He was active civically, serving on numerous community and elected boards, including for the YMCA, Assumption Church and chairing the Board of Finance. 

An avid boater and sportsman, Ed enjoyed golf, swimming, tennis and was a member of Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club and Patterson Club.

Beyond his career as “consigliere” to established Westport businessmen, he is most remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, living up to his Staples yearbook quote, “Upright as the cedar.” 

Deeply religious, he espoused strong family values, integrity, work ethic and charity, spiced with a wily sense of humor. 

He loved spending time with his grandchildren and gardening while pursuing a late “singing career.” 

He spent his final years with his late second wife,Linda (Coburn) Capasse, with whom he shared a decade of happy memories.

Edward is survived by his four children, Thomas (Jeanne) of Westport, Mary Beth (Jim) Carroll of Falls Church, Va., David of Bridgeport and Meg (Dan) MacLeod of South Portland, Maine; five grandchildren, Jay (Becca), Erin and Addison Carroll and Natalie (Subhash) and Michael Capasse; a great-grandchild, Jarmin James Carroll, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to Esther and Linda, Ed was pre-deceased by his sister, Marie (Robert) Whealn.

Calling hours will take place at the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road, on Aug. 15, between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial at Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Ave., at 11 a.m. Aug. 16, to be followed by burial at Assumption Cemetery. Services are open to all.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Foundation for Fighting Blindness. Afflicted with a hereditary eye disease, Ed overcame occupational and professional disability with support from the foundation for which he was an active participant in their mission. Donations may be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness online or by mail at Foundation Fighting Blindness, P.O. Box 45740, Baltimore, MD 21297. Include a note about the honoree and the recipient of the tribute notification.