We are sad to announce the passing of Jerry Gerard “Jiggs” Capamaggio of Elkin, NC, formerly of Byron, NY. Jerry passed peacefully at home on October 14, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 95 years old.
Jerry was born on May 12, 1928, in Rochester, New York.
Jerry was predeceased by his loving wife of 57 years, Shirley, who passed away in 2005; his parents Phoebe (Dean) Capamaggio and Henry “Hank” DeGroote; and siblings Faxon, Gertrude “Gert”, Irene “Dot”, Colina “Keena”, Louis “Duke”, and Anna “Annie”.
Jerry is survived by his daughter, Judy (Chip) Pierce of Elba NY and sons, Steven (Linda) Capamaggio of Elkin NC and Scott (Donna) Capamaggio of Greensboro NC; seven grandchildren, Gina (Jeff) Lathan of Byron NY, Rebecca (Vince) Schnitzer of Elba NY, Tricia Doty (Jerry) of Elba NY, Tabatha (David) Jones of Jamestown NC, Nicholas (Lauren) Capamaggio of Jamestown NC, Michele Capamaggio of Elkin NC and Pamela (David) Ballou of Asheboro NC; eighteen great-grandchildren, Jessica, Jenna, Jacob, Joey, Joshua, Adrianna, Jonathan, Jared, Ciarra, Isabelle, Abigail, Cody, Bennett, William, Peter, Parker, Matthew, and Max; and six great-great grandchildren, Mavrick, Everley, Brayden, Cameron, Madeline and Addisyn; and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry was an honored veteran who enlisted in the United States Army, and served our country during the Korean War. During the 1950’s Jerry became the first Italian fireman in the West Brighton (NY) Fire Department. He went on to become Battalion Chief.
Professionally, Jerry pursued his dreams with determination and tenacity. From his humble beginnings, as a child born on the cusp of the Great Depression, Jerry became a self-taught, successful entrepreneur. His appreciation for hard work, building relationships, and taking risks was deeply engrained into his being. He loved to “wheel and deal” and enjoyed everything that encompassed building something from the ground up. He was the proprietor of Ye Old Mill Soda Fountain & Restaurant, The Oasis Bar, The Breezy Bend Inn, and Caps Tavern. He owned JC Restoration; was a modular home distributor and builder for many years; was a real estate agent, earning salesman of the year in 1967; bought, renovated, and sold properties from New York to North Carolina; owned and managed rental properties; and was always buying and selling automobiles... just to name a few of his endeavors.
Jerry lived life with zeal. He enjoyed antique cars (especially his 1929 Buick and 1948 Desoto), attending car shows, sulky horse racing (He owned several horses based at Batavia Downs (NY) during the 1970’s and 1980’s), tinkering in his barns and garages, playing slots at the casino, engaging with people, and sharing endless stories of his incredible life. With the help of his grandson, he even published a book about his life titled “The Good Old Days: Through the Eyes of Jiggs”.
Jerry was generous with his time, his knowledge, and his resources. He was always willing to lend a hand, help someone get on their feet, right a wrong, open opportunities for others, and provide a place of safety, security, and sometimes second chances for individuals who otherwise may not have such things.
More than anything, Jerry loved his family. They are his true legacy. He instilled the importance of family, generosity, hospitality, helping those in need, humility, thriftiness, determination, living life to the fullest, and the satisfaction of being able to declare “I did it my way”.
On October 21, 2023 at 1:00pm services will be held at Gina and Jeff Lathan’s property, 7790 Byron-Holley Road, Byron NY 14422. Immediately followed by grave side service at St. Vincent DePaul Cemetery, North Main Street, Churchville, NY. Family and friends are invited to join Jerry’s family, at 4:00pm, for a Celebration of Life gathering back at Gina & Jeff’s.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made, in Jerry’s name, to Mountain Valley Hospice, 968 North Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621(mtnvalleyhospice.org) or City of Refuge Community Church, 154 Bridge Street, Jonesville, NC 28642.
