"I was seven and living in Baltic when Msgr. was ordained. Msgr. said I was the only parishioner he had from Baltic and especially remembering the day of ordination."
In loving memory of
REV. MSGR. LOUIS C. CAPPO
December 16, 1919 - December 10, 2007
Reverend Monsignor Louis C. Cappo, 87, Rector of St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, died early Monday morning, December 10, 2007 at Marquette General Hospital where he had been hospitalized a few days.
Monsignor Cappo was born on December 16, 1919 in Baltic, Michigan, a son of Cesare and Jennie (Mare) Cappo. After seminary studies at St. Lawrence College, Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin and St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Marquette on June 8, 1946 at St. Johns Cathedral in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Following ordination, he began his ministry in the Diocese of Marquette serving first as associate pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Ishpeming, St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in St. Ignace and St. Anne Parish in Escanaba, respectively.
In April 1952, Monsignor Cappo was appointed Administrator of Christ the King Parish in Ramsay, and subsequently named pastor in 1958, serving in that capacity until 1965. Other assignments included being pastor at St. Cecilia Parish in Hubbell and the Mission of St. Francis at Dollar Bay from June 1965 to July 1968; pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in LAnse from 1968 to 1969, and pastor of St. Anne Parish in Escanaba until 1972. Bishop Charles Salatka then appointed him as Executive Director of the Department of Community Services & Family Life, more commonly known as Catholic Social Services.
In 1975, he was appointed to serve as the Rector of St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, where he faithfully served the people for 32 years, until his death. In addition to St. Peter Cathedral, he was also the pastor for St. Mary Parish, in Big Bay, starting in 1995. At the time of his passing, Monsignor Cappo was the oldest diocesan priest in full time active ministry pastoring a parish.
He was named a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in 1994, and a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, on September 1, 1997.
During his years as a priest in the Diocese of Marquette, he displayed a constant interest in the Upper Peninsulas economic growth and development. In 1954, he initiated negotiations to bring natural gas to the U.P., a process that culminated in 1966 with Northern Natural Gas laying their first pipelines that year.
Monsignor Cappos other involvements with economic development and community leadership included: Chaplain, Michigan State Police (1966-2001), member of the Board of Directors of Marquette General Hospital, member of the Board of Trustees of Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie (appointed by Governors William Milliken, James Blanchard and John Engler), member of the board of directors and chairman of the fund drive for the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame, member of the Interfaith Council of Marquette, member of the Norlite Nursing Center Ethics Committee, co-founder of the Lake Superior Jobs Coalition, chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, instrumental in achieving the All American City Award for Marquette County in 2003 and the Most Livable City Award for Marquette in 2004.
In 1974 Monsignor Cappo was honored with the Northern Michigan University Presidents Award. In 1991 he was given an Achievement Award for community service by the Marquette Area Jaycees. In 2000 he received the Marquette County Ambassador Outstanding Leadership Award, and in 2002, the Lake Superior Community Partnership Distinguished Service Award. In August of this year he became the first recipient of the U.P. Senior Citizen of the Year Award sponsored by the Community Action Agency and OSF St. Francis Hospital of Escanaba.
Monsignor was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 61 years including Monsignor Nolan B. McKevitt Council #689 and Bishop Baraga the Snowshoe Priest Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by two brothers, Caesar (Ruthe) Cappo of Flint and Eugene (Carolyn) Cappo of Lansing; also numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death besides his parents was a brother, Joseph Cappo; also two sisters, Marie Cappo and Anna OReilly.
Visitation for Monsignor Cappo will be held on Thursday, December 13, from 3 to 8 p.m. at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, with a rosary prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will also take place on Friday, December 14, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., at which time the Mass of Christian Burial for Monsignor Cappo will be celebrated at St. Peter Cathedral with the Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample, Bishop of Marquette officiating, and concelebrated by the Most Reverend James H. Garland, Bishop Emeritus of Marquette and priests of the Diocese of Marquette.
The funeral mass will be broadcast live on WZAM (ESPN 970 AM), also at www.espn970.com and on Charter Cable Channel 19 (audio only).
Monsignors nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews will act as his escorts. Also, members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will act as honor guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Monsignor Cappos memory to the St. Peter Cathedral Sanctuary Renovation Fund, 311 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI 49855
Tributes
"Monsignor Cappo lived a full and vibrant life, taking on challenges filled with the joy of Christ and tempered by his obedience to the Word of God. That it will likely take several people to take up all the work he was engaged in is testimony to his character. He was a friend to people of all denominations and a clear example of a faithful Catholic. We had many good discussions about faith and our community. I look forward to seeing him again someday. As we remember all of the amazing things he was involved with here on earth, imagine the wonders now set before him. Well done, God's good and faithful servant."
"Dear Reverend Monsignor Louis C. Cappo Family and Parish Family, Monsignor Cappo was a warm and friendly person. Anyone who met Monsignor Cappo was instantly drawn to his values of the church and his community support. Monsignor Cappo found good in everybody and had a grace and wisdom that was unmatched. Monsignor Cappo loved his parish family and being a Priest and it showed by his friendly hand shake and smile and williness to listen. Monsignor Cappo and I last month spoke of his birthday on December 16th. Although he is not here for me to wish him a "Happy Birthday" I will say a special prayer for him on his birthday. I will truely miss this wonderful person we called Monsignor. Debbie Larson December 11, 2007 Marquette"
"I am very sad to hear about Msgr. passing away, he was a great man and will be truely missed! He was suppose to marry my Fiance and I in May and we are very sad he will not be able to share our day with us ,but i am sure he still will be there with us in his own way and in the church he loved so much! We will be thinking of him on that day."
"Monsignor Cappo was no doubt a pillar to the Marquette community, Upper Peninsula Community and Marquette Catholic Diocese, one to be emulated but never replaced nor forgotten. God Bless Monsignor Cappo!"
"I remember Fr. Cappo when I was a server at St. Anne, Esky. He always stood out as an exceptional person of God."
"My sympathy and condolences to the members of your family, your parish family, and your brother priests. Your work is finally done, and now you may rest. Truly you have been a good and faithful servant. May you rest in peace."
"I sang at the 11:30 Mass, Ensemble Choir, for over three years and it was a privilege to attend Mass with Msgr. Coppo presiding. Msgr. Coppo, for me, is (and was) St. Peter's Cathedral. I know he has earned his journey to Heaven and I wish his spirit well."
"Our sympathy and condolences to your family and all whose lives you have touched, you will be greatly missed."
"Msgr. Cappo has married and buried our family members for over 50 years, from Ramsay to Escanaba to Marquette. He lived and demonstrated his faith and concern for others. We will miss him greatly. Our sympathy to his family and to the St. Peter community."
"Memories of his service to the people of L'Anse."
"We at dales clock shop would like to give our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Monsignor Cappo, we worked on his clocks several times and the very old antique hall clock at St. Peter Cathedral and he became a friend to us, always offering a witty story, or kind advice, he was always smiling and always stopped to talk with us while we worked. Monsignor Cappo you will be missed dearly, thank you for gracing our lives with your kindness and love. Dale Weingartner Shane Arsenault Master Horologists"
"To Caesar, Ruthe, Jenny Webb and the rest of the Cappo Family - I extend my sincere and heartfelt condolences on Monsignor's passing. For the two years I was the Rectory housekeeper, I can honestly say I have never met a more unique,but caring person or employer in Monsignor Cappo. May God bless you and your family during this time."
"My condolences to the family. My family has a cottage across from you in Twin Lakes. May you find peace in GOD."