Albert H. Capista, Jr.

Albert H. Capista, Jr. of Ithaca, NY, died on December 14, 2025 at the age of 77, just days shy of his 78 th birthday. Born in Alton, Illinois to Eleanor Graziano Capista and Albert H. Capista, Sr., Albert’s family later relocated to Waterford, CT, and eventually settled in Little Silver, NJ, where Albert graduated from Red Bank Regional High School in 1965.

Albert’s years at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY during the often-tumultuous 1960s was a period of major personal insight. He graduated in 1969 with a dual degree in Political Science and History, but his career plans were quickly thwarted when he was drafted into the US Army shortly after graduation. Fort Dix, NJ was where he was sent for basic training, and when the military noted an aptitude for healthcare, Albert received specialized training to become an Army medic. He recounts having “luck on my side” when he was assigned to serve for two years at a major military hospital in Okinawa, Japan, rather than being sent to Vietnam.

In the early 1970s, like many young adults of his generation, Albert chose to relocate to upstate New York. Seeking a peaceful lifestyle, he settled on an old farm accompanied by close friends from his college years. Embracing the spirit of self- sufficiency, Albert undertook the ambitious project of constructing a three-level log home, which became a testament to his resourcefulness and determination.

During this period, Albert operated a firewood business and also contributed to his community by working in various county human service agencies, furthering his commitment to helping others. Courtesy of the educational benefits provided by the GI Bill, Albert returned to college to pursue training as a registered nurse, marking a significant transition in his professional journey.

Albert continued with the profession of nursing until his retirement in 2017, when his lengthy history of Parkinson’s disease made employment impossible. Most of his healthcare career was spent working for New York state in various clinical and administrative roles within the Developmental Disabilities Service Offices, now renamed OPWDD. A major accomplishment was establishing community group homes throughout the southern tier of NYS, training staff who provided community-based care to previously institutionalized persons with developmental limitations. Albert also worked as a primary nurse with Hospicare and Palliative Care Services of Tompkins County, then concluded his career as a health and safety inspector in several schools and providing CPR training to school district staff throughout the BOCES educational system.

Predeceased by his parents, his older sister Judy Capista Porter, and his first wife Susan Capista, Albert is survived by his life partner Deb Parker Traunstein and their four children: Emily Capista Deats (Raphael), Seth Capista (Anna Meyer), Chelsea Traunstein Lucas (Joel) and Noah Traunstein. His four grandchildren, Cayden Deats, Evan Deats, Una Capista, and Parker Lucas, to whom he was lovingly known as “Pop Pop”, brought a special brightness to his life that nothing could match. Albert is also survived by his brother David Capista (Diana Travis), favorite niece Terri Czajkowski, former partner Pam Capista, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Albert was passionate about countless interests, especially traveling, gardening, trees, The History Channel, recumbent trike riding, the Yankees, Syracuse basketball, the Buffalo Bills, and music. His decades playing guitar and singing in the local band, The MacGillicuddies, and the ties of deep friendship cultivated via music, meant the world to him. To family and friends, Albert (affectionately known as “Albie”) will be remembered as patient, kind, fun-loving, and a gentle giant of a man.

A celebration of Albert’s life will be held in the Spring of 2026 at Taughannock Falls State Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trumansburg (NY) Ambulance and EMS Services, Hospicare and Palliative Care Services of Ithaca, or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.