May 26, 2021
Capone, Michael
CMichael R. Capone, of Dedham, passed away unexpectedly at home, Sunday, May 16, at the age of 75. Son of the late Louise (Columbo) Capone, and the late Albert A. (Honey) Capone, and his wife Marjorie E. (Downing-Vitelli) Capone. Brother to the late Leonard Capone, of Dedham. Beloved Step-Brother to Mary Lane, of Canton, and the late Linda Guilmette, of Holbrook. Michael was a devoted and loving companion to John Sexton, of Brockton, and the late Charles N. Goddu, of Mattapoisett.
Michael R. Capone grew up in Dedham, Massachusetts. As a young boy, after his mother’s untimely death, he and his brother Lenny were raised by their father, grandmother, and aunts, a life which provided fodder for many a story of the Capones and the Columbos. Michael attended Dedham schools and graduated from Dedham High School, Class of 1963, giving him a lifelong love of football and the Dedham Marauders. He particularly enjoyed the Thanksgiving rivalry they had with the Norwood Mustangs. After high school, he joined the United States Army. Following his Army service, he began a long career with the Equitable Life Insurance Company in Boston. While working for “the Equitable”, he began tending bar and for several years worked at the Napoleon Club in Boston, then later managed and tended bar at the Randolph Country Club.
While at the Randolph Country Club, where he worked for over 40 years, Michael fostered a family atmosphere. Everyone who entered felt like they were being welcomed by the unofficial “Mayor of Randolph”, more affectionately known as the Dragon Lady. If you were there on a slow night and mustering up the courage to talk to new people, you would somehow leave there with three new friends all thanks to your new favorite bartender. Maybe you were lucky enough to be there for a Monday Night Dinner. Michael’s home cooked menu, prepared each week with love and created a “home” for many in the South Shore LGBTQ community. That passion for cooking and community led to one of his favorite jobs later in life when he became a culinary instructor at the Wildcat Cafe, at Weymouth High School. He loved his students and became the Wildcats biggest fan (that is unless they were playing the Dedham Marauders).
Michael’s story telling skills were unmatched. He would captivate his audience with stories about growing up in Dedham with his Granny and his Aunts, especially Aunt Peg. He regaled anyone who would listen with tales from the good old days in Boston in such vivid, colorful detail that you could almost convince yourself that you had been there. The pure affection and love for the people or times in these anecdotes shone through his every word. His humor and acerbic wit was almost as intoxicating as the drinks he would serve. He would punctuate the end of any story with a sly wink and that sassy smile that would keep everyone coming back for more.
Friendship, community, love, and a sense of belonging are principles that Michael held as a life mantra. For many years, he and a few of his friends took turns hosting Thanksgiving Dinner. If you were someone, who for whatever reason, didn’t have a place to go on Thanksgiving, you always had a seat at Michael’s table. When you got there, you would feel like part of the family and the laughs seemed to never end. To say he was funny is an understatement. He had a quick wit and was never at a loss for words. As a result, everyone wanted to be Michael’s friend, and he had MANY, both inside and outside the LGBTQ Community. He was fiercely loyal to those friends he called his Family and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. In return, those friends were just as loyal to him.
Summer. His favorite time of year. Michael loved his vacations. For many years, you could find him in either Provincetown or Ogunquit, Maine. He loved his time by the beach, overlooking the ocean or the bay, having a cocktail, dining at local restaurants with good friends, and taking in a sunset cruise on the Bay Lady II. Those summer sunsets, laughing with lifelong friends with a VO & Ginger in hand, are the times that made him the happiest.
Michael was a true legend and his was a life well lived. We take comfort knowing he is “well and safe”, enjoying the beautiful sunsets from above, with the loved ones that passed before him and the many friends who are there to greet him with open arms.
Cremation services arranged by Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, Dedham, and St. Michaels Crematory, 500 Canterbury St., Roslindale. A Celebration of Michael’s life will be held in September in Ogunquit, Maine. Details will be provided at a later date.
In Memory of Our Friend Michael, there are charitable organizations that are near and dear to his heart. Please consider a donation to the Christopher McGowan Memorial Scholarship, providing scholarships and financial aid to the students of Dedham High School. c/o PJ McGowan, 203 Bonham Rd, Dedham, MA 02026. And through the Christmas Holiday, please also consider supporting the Kevin for Kids, Toys for Tots drive, held each December.
Comments(35)
Michael will be missed by many, many people. My condolences to his friend John
What a guy! Will always live in my memories ❣️️
Fond Memories RIP MICHAEL
My deepest codolences to Michael’s family and to his friend John Sexton ….. Michael will be missed by many people. Rest in Peace my friend.
RIP Michael
Love never dies.
What a great and true to the core obituary. It really sums up who Michael was. Heaven held a special place fore him. Michael was one of the funniest and wittiest people I ever met. He made me feel so comfortable when I came out in the early 90’s. I waited in his life for a drink often, even if it was long. I look forward to the day we can celebrate his life in September.
There will never be another like Michael Capone!
Thank you for your acceptance, your kindness, your friendship and your humor. From RCC to the Wildcat Cafe to Doyle’s you always went above and beyond to make your friends happy and welcome.
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
We are all better for knowing him. His memory will live forever in my heart,and humor. A true friend and mentor.I am safe.til we meet again.R.I.P.
My condolences to Michael’s family. He was a great man.
Rest in peace D.L
Love, Lou ❤️
Michael thank you for welcoming me into RCC for my first time. A unique and memorable first introduction to a place I was afraid to enter. I felt welcomed after you sized me up, and made sure I wasn’t an ABC Agent. Michael it was you and the friends I made that first 2 weeks that had me coming back. Michaels stories, Jack and Stephen’s friendship are very much missed.
Rest In Peace and know you are loved my friend.
My condolences to Michael’s family. He was a great man.
Love, Lou ❤️
Michael you are a great man, and did so much for the gay community. You will be sadly missed, may you rest in peace my friend.
May our dear friend rest among the angels. Michael Was a friendly face in the storm for many. He reached out to all that passed his way. He looked after all of us at RCC. There are memories to last us a lifetime. Rest now dear friend, we’ll all meet up again I’m sure.
Rest in peace Michael…you will be greatly missed.
Always looked forward to seeing Michael at Randolph. Greeted with a smile and a smart ass comment. RIP Michael
Michael was one of a kind and I loved him very much!!
AWWW.. so it’s sad To hear about Michael’s passing.. He was truly genuinely nice kind and caring and from what I understand from others very giving always willing to help… I wish more people in this world could be like Michael my sincere condolences to his family and his friends rest in peace dear man❤️
Kind of felt like he was my fairy godfather since my real grandfather passed before I came out. Same kind of humor with just a little more razzledazzle. Was amazed to run across him at the brook and glad more people got to experience him after RCC got bought out. You will be missed
Michael told me so many stories about coming out in the 60s and I will always cherish those long conversations. I keep remembering how, in typical Michael fashion, I brought my mother in one afternoon in the 80s …and Michael was charming, plopped down her drink and said “Now you know where your daughter spends all her money”. I will never forget him.
Rest well my friend. You will be missed; but never forgotten. Condolences to the family
A legend that will never be forgotten. RIP
Thank you, Michael, for so many great memories. You made so many people laugh…..
I spent many great days with Michael and a few friends while we were in high school. Michael enjoyed being around people, and people enjoyed being with him. A great person, and I am a better person for having him in my life, always had a smile and a good word.
Michael, you will be missed. RIP my friend
RCC played an early part of me finding comfort with being myself … and you were part of that (front and center). RIP Michael
I always felt at home at RCC whenever I saw Michael & his big smile.
May you enjoy life in your new home in heaven.
A beautiful soul is never forgotten, And will live on as Michael joins the stars in the night sky
There’s too many words to express Micheal Capone. He was a mentor a friend a man that I will never forget in my lifetime! When I think of all the fun that we’ve had in our younger years at the RCC. When I used to go there was a young gay man, not really knowing what it was like to be in a place where all gay gentleman gathered. He always made me feel at home he always had kind words to share with me. Remember one time when there was a talent show there, he told everybody that I was shy, and everybody laughed. But at that time I know he really knew who I was inside, we all put a face on for the outside world to see but he truly knew me!! He was a great friend. Michael you were truly truly a good man and will be missed.
I just wish we had spent more time together when we got older, for that I am truly saddened.
Love you always Michael…
Truly a legend. The greatest wit and fantastic storyteller. He will be missed.
Rest In Peace, Michael
A true gentleman and gentle soul that provided happiness to so many of us. I feel blessed to have known him and he will be sorely missed but fondly remembered. Rest In Peace Michael and thanks for so many great times and memories. John
Met at the Napoleon Club many years ago and loved you from the first day I met you, always kept me smiling. You will be missed – RIP
Michael was my cousin and seeing him was always the best part of visiting my Grandmother’s house,located on the corner of Whiting Avenue in Dedham. Michael,his brother Lennie,and his dad, Uncle Honey, lived with my grandmother and my Aunt Syl, and in later years my Aunt Peg moved into the house too. Being 12 years older than me, I was in awe of Michael. Looking at him through my 6 year old eyes, he didn’t look or act like the rest of the Capone’s; he was tall,thin, and handsome and he was a sharp dresser. When I visited he would put on the Supremes records and we would dance in the living room, a room that no one ever went into at my grandmother’s house. He knew all of the words to every song and he had fabulous dance moves. He had a razor sharp wit that entertained me at my young age. My grandmother’s house had 4 floors, the 4th being the attic. He would put me on his shoulders and take me up there where the DHS cheer leading shakers and megaphones were kept, and we would practice our cheers. Michael was always upbeat and looked on the bright side of situations. He was a kind and generous person.
I was shocked to hear of Michael’s passing. I first met him at napoleon club..top floor bar..he never forgot our meeting nor did i..years had passed and when we met again he remembered that evening..his humor and kindness and genorsity has been amazing..not to mention his Betty debut at rcc…such a sweet soul I know is in heaven with all who have gone before us…till we meet again .with great fond memories..
John cheney..
Oh, Mike. So sad to find this. You will be missed! Good heavens, we go back to around 1977 Era. Napoleon’s, RCC and beyond. So many great memories. Rest in Peace and keep that handsome smile!
So sad to hear that Michael had passed. I remember his wit well and was one of the many that felt welcomed when coming out to the RCC in my younger days.
Thank You Michael.
Kevin