STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A compassionate volunteer who enriched the lives of others, she was honored when she presented annually an award that bears her name to other outstanding volunteers. It reflected her generosity of spirit and steadfast volunteerism.
A devout Catholic, she was unwavering when it came to her dedication and service to her faith.
Carol Caputo, a daughter, wife and mother, died Tuesday evening in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, with her husband Christopher by her side. The couple marked their 33rd wedding anniversary last Thursday.
Mrs. Caputo was diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma in early February, but always maintained an upbeat and positive attitude. And, despite a brave battle and undergoing several surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, she succumbed to the disease after six months.
She was 57.
The youngest of four children, Mrs. Caputo was born in West Brighton on Feb. 22, 1965 (President’s Day), to John and Joan Sullivan and spent her formative years in the North Shore neighborhood with her sisters, Kathy, Nancy and Ellen.
She would attend Sacred Heart Elementary School and go on to graduate from Curtis High School, where she served as captain of the Cheerleading Squad.
THE CAPUTOS MEET
On the evening of her high school prom, the former Carol Sullivan shared a limousine with several other couples — one of which was Christopher Caputo and his date. It wasn’t long before Carol and Chris’ realized they had a connection. They began dating that started a relationship lasting nearly 38 years.
They married in Sacred Heart R.C. Church in West Brighton in 1989.
At the time Mrs. Caputo held a position at the New York Stock Exchange. But in 1994, she vacated that post when it came time to give birth to the couple’s son, Peter. She became a stay-at-home mom and raised Peter in Rosebank, where the couple made their home.
When Peter entered PS 13, in the Caputo’s home community, Mrs. Caputo decided to become a volunteer.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD BEARS HER NAME
“Her work ethic clearly showed through as she went above and beyond in her volunteering efforts,” noted her life partner, who’s a Grasmere attorney. “Her hard work was rewarded when the school presented her with the Volunteer of the Year Award for going above and beyond with her efforts.” In fact, he added, she not only received the award, but the school named the award after her and allowed her to present the Carol Caputo Outstanding Volunteer Award to the most outstanding volunteer each after year at graduation.”
Because of her continuous involvement at PS 13, Mrs. Caputo was asked to become a staffer at the school and was soon hired by the City Department of Education.
Her first position was school aide where she was responsible for coordinating the busing schedules of all of students.
“She loved the children and found it rewarding to interact with them on a daily basis,” added her husband.
Mrs. Caputo recently switched positions to become a school secretary, where she was in charge of student enrollment — a role that proved challenging when COVID-19 regulations were in force and in-person and at home learning became the norm.
“She was liked by everyone, both co-workers and students,” said Fran Defendis, secretary to principal Paul Martuccio. “She was my dear friend and I was so happy when she accepted the position of school secretary because that meant that I got to work directly with her every day. We had a saying in the office ‘Carol, Carol, Carol,’ because she always knew what to do, how to do it or what to say.”
“She was universally known for her smile, sense of humor and selflessness, in particular when it came to any matter involving the family,” Mrs. Caputo’s son, Peter, added.
LOVE OF FAMILY AND CHURCH
With her husband by her side, she was known to host the majority of family parties both in the couple’s home and at the annual Christmas Eve party traditionally held in Bocelli Ristorante.
“Aunt Carol was always so happy,” said her niece, Jodi Sabella. “She once told me that everyone has a song that makes you want to dance. You just have to find yours,’” she said.
Mrs. Caputo continued to serve as Eucharistic Ministers in St. Mary’s R.C. Church.
And for nearly 20 years, until the church’s closing, the Caputo’s would serve as ministers at the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday, while their son served as altar boy.
With a passion for interior decorating, Mrs. Caputo attended the Parsons School of Design in Manhattan and graduated with a certificate in interior design. She became an interior designer for Ethan Allen and put her knowledge and artful skills to good use when she took on a project to redesign the interior of the rectory at St. Mary’s R.C. Church.
“Carol became very involved in the ministry of the church, as well and the chairperson of the parish’s chapter of the Parents Group for many years,” noted her husband. “She also coordinated with other parishes and their groups and helped counsel young parents in the Christian faith.”
In addition to her husband, Christopher Caputo, and son, Peter Caputo, and his wife, Morgan Marotta Caputo, Mrs. Caputo is survived by her mother, Joan Sullivan, her sister Nancy Pettersen (Edward), her sister Ellen Sabella (Paul) and a number of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, John Sullivan, and her sister, Kathy Sullivan Corbo.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Matthew’s Funeral Home, Willowbrook. Visitation is Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m. A Mass is scheduled for Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary R.C. Church, South Beach.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center https://giving.mskcc.org/cancer/donations in Mrs. Caputo’s name would be appreciated.
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