OBITUARY
REVEREND THOMAS A. CAPPELLONI

Reverend Thomas A, Cappelloni died on July 29, 2023 at home in Hazleton.

Father Cappelloni, son of the late Frank D. Cappelloni and Ann Butler Cappelloni, was born in Scranton on November 13, 1950.  He was a graduate of South Scranton Central Catholic.  Father Cappelloni received his seminary education at Saint Pius X Seminary, Dalton, Pennsylvania and Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland earning a Master’s Degree in Systematic Theology graduating Cum Laude.  He was ordained to the priesthood at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton on May 1, 1976 by the Most Reverend J. Carroll McCormick, late Bishop of Scranton.

Father Cappelloni received a summer assignment as Assistant Pastor at St. Basil’s, Dushore in May 1976 and in September was appointed Assistant Pastor at St. Lucy, Scranton.  In August 1978 Father Cappelloni was appointed Assistant Pastor at St. John the Evangelist, Honesdale.  Father was appointed Assistant Pastor at St. Aloysius, Wilkes Barre in June 1982.

Father Cappelloni was appointed Pastor at St. Martin of Tours, Jackson in September 1987 and served for fourteen years.  During that time, he doubled the size of the church and built a new catechetical building. In July 2001 he was appointed Pastor at Holy Name of Jesus, Scranton.  Father was appointed Administrator at Our Lady of Grace, Hazleton in October 2001 and in July 2002 was appointed Pastor.  In July 2009, while remaining Pastor at Our Lady of Grace, Father was appointed Director at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Harleigh.  In April of 2012, Father Cappelloni retired from ministry due to health issues caused by degenerative spine disease compromising his ability to walk and maintain balance.

Father also served the Diocese as Dean of Susquehanna County from January 1992 to December 2000, as cathechist at Bishop Hannon High School, Honesdale Catholic School, and as Advocate for the Diocesan Tribunal.  He later served as Chaplain of the Hazleton Police Department.

Father loved the culinary arts, skilled in cooking, and he was an accomplished musician and organist.  Father’s priesthood was not measured by years, but by the service he offered to his parishes, diocesan offices, parishioners and friends, even working to set up a charitable trust for stray animals.  His wisdom, deep laugh, and loving glance will be missed by many.

Father is survived by his older brother Francis (Frank) Cappelloni and younger sister MaryAnn (Cappelloni) Folk. Frank’s children: Mara (Joseph) Cappelloni Lopez and children Alexa and Jackson. Corey Cappelloni and daughter Emma; Brant (Nikki) Cappelloni and children Gabriella, Christopher and Paul.  Maryann’s children: Kristen (Patrick) Conaway and children Reagan, and Abigale; Lauren (Adam) Ercolini and daughter Emilia; Christopher Folk.                                                                  Services will be conducted at Annunication Parish, St. Gabriel’s Church, Hazleton.  Viewing will take place on Thursday, August 3 at the church from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m..  A Vesper Service will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Annunciation Parish, St. Gabriel’s Church on Friday, August 4 at 10 a.m.                                           

Interment will be in Nuremberg Cemetery.                                         .