[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO STEPHEN J. CAPESTRO

                                 ______


                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 17, 1995
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, last year, the people of Middlesex County, 
NJ, lost one of their greatest and most popular public servants with 
the passing of Mr. Stephen J. Capestro. The death of Mr. Capestro has, 
for me, meant the loss not only of a top political leader, but of a 
good friend.
  In December 1992. Mr. Capestro retired from elected public office 
after having served 24 years as a Middlessex County Freeholder. For 13 
of these years, he served as the board's director. During those years 
of distinguished service, Steve Capestro's was a name and a face 
synonymous with dedication and good government. Shortly after his 
retirement, on May 27, 1993, Steve was honored with a testimonial 
dinner in Edison, NJ, which was attended by a wide array of State, 
county, and local political leaders from both parties, as well as many 
other community leaders. It was a most fitting tribute to a man who had 
made such a profound impact on his community, but it is sad that this 
proved to be one of the last occasions for many of Steve's friends and 
well-wishers to see him.
  A native of Brooklyn, NY, Steve's family relocated to New Jersey 
where ``Cap,'' as he was known to his classmates, graduated from Toms 
River High School. Steve was a four-sport athlete, and was active in 
many other organizations. He attended Franklin and Marshall University 
in Pennsylvania on a football scholarship, was active in student 
organizations and maintained honor roll grades. He went on to New 
Jersey's Rutgers University, where he was on the varsity football team 
for 3 years and earned the nickname the ``Golden Toe'' for his extra 
point kicking. He also held down various jobs throughout his college 
years. In fact, it was while working at the Raritan Arsenal that he met 
Miss Vivian Testa, whom he would go on to marry. But first, after 
graduating from Rutgers, Steve went into the Army and served as a 
paratrooper with the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. 
He received a medical discharge in 1945.
  An active member of his church and community, Steve, along with other 
parishioners of Holy Rosary Church started one of the first Little 
Leagues in New Jersey. After years as a self-employed businessman, he 
was appointed director of health and welfare, parks and recreation of 
Edison Township. He became a Middlesex County Freeholder in 1968, 
serving as director of the board from 1979 until his retirement in 
1992. From 1978 through 1984, Steve worked for the New Jersey Highway 
Authority, and was heavily involved in the senior citizen programs, 
ethnic festivals and other activities at the Garden State Arts Center.
  Steve's commitment to his church and his community was well-known. 
The list of his civic memberships, accomplishments, and awards is a 
long one, so it's no coincidence that the list of people who 
volunteered to help organize his testimonial dinner was also quite 
long. Perhaps the best indicator of the type of official and the type 
of man that Steve was comes through in his own assessment of his life 
and career: ``Life has been a lot of fun for Steve Capestro. Working 
with people is the greatest thrill of all. Working with the public is 
and always has been a pleasure and an honor.''
  For those who knew him personally, and for those who only knew of him 
through his work, this statement was pure Steve Capestro. Indeed, the 
public and private sides of Steve were the same person--straight-
forward, down to earth, someone who genuinely enjoyed working with 
people. For his friends, colleagues and the many others who benefited 
from his years of exemplary pubic service, Steve Capestro will truly be 
missed. I extend my deepest sympathies to Vivian and hope that the many 
tributes to Steve will be at least some comfort to her.
  Mr. Speaker, to my colleagues, in this House, I would say that the 
life and the public career of Steve Capestro represents everything that 
we should strive to be.


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