Raymond Adolph Cappellini

Raymond Adolph Cappellini, 90, of Meridian, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. A Funeral Mass will be at 2 PM on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 6300 N Meridian Road Meridian, ID 83646 to honor and celebrate his life. A separate Celebration of Life will be held in the coming weeks. Arrangements are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave. So. – 442-8171. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com  

Raymond Adolph Cappellini came into this world singing the song of life on January 30, 1926 and went to play boogie-woogie on the piano in heaven's band on July 19, 2016. Enjoying the childhood of a first generation American, "Paps" as he was affectionately known to those who loved him was the only son of Italian immigrants Liduina and Morello Cappellini. Paps had a passion and an enthusiasm that wouldn't allow him to live an ordinary life. During the end of World War II, he served his country honorably in the Army Air Corps. Ray had a thirst for knowledge and saw education as a hallmark of a full life.  He was the first in his family to earn a college degree and in true fashion he went on to earn a PHD from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.  He worked for 36 years as the Department Chair and Full Professor in the Plant Pathology Department at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.  He lived life like it was meant to be lived and on August 19, 1950 he married the first love of his life, Patricia Bernadette Nally. Ray and Patricia were married for 53 years and together they had 4 beautiful girls, Celeste, Michelle, Paulette, and Andrea who were the center of his life and the apples of his eye. Those who knew Ray and Pat witnessed the true meaning of love and devotion while Ray took care of Patricia's every need as she battled her own life struggles, never leaving her side until the day she passed in 2004. After Patricia's passing, Ray moved to Idaho to continue his life's journey. Ray fell in love with the second love of his life, LaDonna Webb-Nafziger and they were married on March 4, 2006. Ray embraced LaDonna's 3 sons; Jay, Jeff and Jac along with their families as his own.  Ray was often asked why he moved to Idaho and his answer was an unhesitating "Because of the people".  Ray often expressed to LaDonna his amazement at being blessed with two perfect lives, one in New Jersey and one in Idaho. Ray loved Idaho and Idaho loved Ray.  He expressed his love for his new home through the selfless contributions he made to his community. He and LaDonna could be found helping run the dance at the Senior Center.  As avid wood worker, Ray's hand crafted sleighs raised money for the Festival of Trees and other various organizations. Ray was respected and loved by everyone who knew him.  He was a man with high ideals and flawless integrity.  People loved his infectious whistling and he was famous amongst his friends for his biscotti.  He made friends everywhere he went.  Ray gave the strongest hugs which will greatly be missed.  

Left to cherish his memory are; his wife, LaDonna Cappellini, his children; A. Celeste Somers (Bruce) of Jensen Beach, FL; Michele C/ Fisher (Robert) of Morrison, CO; Paulette Cappellini (Stan Edwards) of Kwajalein Island, Marshall Islands; Andrea Cappellini (Craig Lindemann  of Neshanic  Station, NJ, his step children; Jay Webb of Boise, Jeff Webb of Nampa, Jac Webb (LaVelle)  and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ray was predeceased by his wife Patricia Bernadette (nee Nally), his sister Luisia(nee Cappellini) Marshall and his granddaughter Christine Leigh Fisher.  

The family requests, in lieu of flowers that donations be made to his late granddaughter's fund – the Christine L. Fisher Early Childhood Education Fund c/o the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC) AT 4755 Kingsway Drive, Suite 107, Indianapolis, IN, 46205 or online at www.iaeyc.org/clf.  Proceeds go toward helping improve the lives of young children in the areas of reading; nutrition; physical activity and art & creativity which were all important causes to him and his granddaughter.

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