‘Ron Cappello, 1951-2016’

     
Most Wise: Knight Senior Warden, for what reason is this grave prepared?

Senior Warden: Respect for the dead. Because the body is the dwelling and sanctuary of the soul; because the Grand Architect of the Universe made man in His own image; and because our mortal members are the fit instruments of an immortal mind. The four sides of the grave are indicative of the virtues which should adorn the person of every sublime Mason, and which we thus explain:

Reverence, Truth, Justice, and Purity, and are opposed to the vices of the ruffians [that] would destroy Masonry, namely Ignorance, Falsehood, Envy, and Egotism. The sprig of acacia, or myrtle, is the vivifying life that pervades all nature, and the urn implies the intellectual treasure, or immortal soul, the body of man contains.

Most Wise: What now remains to be done?

Senior Warden: To deposit the remains of our lamented Brother in its final resting place.

Most Wise: Let it be done.


Public Funeral Ceremony, on the 23°, of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Freemasonry (c. 1863), as published by the Grand College of Rites of the USA in the 2004 edition of Collectanea.


Of course 2016 has been vicious toward so many of the entertainers we have enjoyed for many years, but this year also has been rough on a number of prominent Freemasons. My thanks to Bro. David for alerting me to this obituary late last night. From the Journal News of New York:

Ronald V. Cappello, age 65, of Yonkers, died Wednesday, November 30, 2016. Ronald was born April 23, 1951 in Mt. Vernon, New York the son of the late Joseph and Marie (Papaleo) Cappello. Ronald was a graduate of Iona College with a Masters Degree in both science and art. He was a history teacher for the Yonkers Board of Education.

Ronald was a devoted Mason serving as Sovereign Grand Master of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm [for the United States], a member of Huguenot Lodge No. 46 F&AM for 34 years, he was also a member of the Bethlehem Crusader Knights Templar, the Royal Arch Masons, the Cryptic Masons, the Grand College of Rites of the USA, the Royal Order of Scotland, the Rosicrucian Order and the Knights Templar Order of the Temple. He was Past Grand Master of the Martinist Order of the Temple, and a representative for the Grand Lodge of Western Australia.

He is survived by his beloved wife Mary Lou (Capone) Cappello, his daughters Robin Foti-Nadzam, Victoria Cunningham and Yvonne Foti, his grandchildren Alora Gerace, Kyra Nadzam, and William Vanderlinden. Also surviving are his sisters Susan DeLorenzo and Frances Shikarides, his sister-in-law Marion LaGrotte, and eight nieces and nephews. Ronald was predeceased by his brother A. Charles Cappello.

Friends may call on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Sinatra Memorial Home, Inc., 601 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers, NY. The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Eugene’s Church, 31 Massitoa Road, Yonkers. Committal will be private.

Published in the Journal News on December 2, 2016.