Former Hoboken Mayor Remembered as 'Family Man'

Former Hoboken Mayor Steve Cappiello was remembered Monday as a family man who came from modest means, but grew up to become one of the driving forces behind Hoboken's redevelopment.

Cappiello, who also served as a councilman, freeholder and police sergeant in Hoboken, was buried Monday, following a funeral mass at St. Ann's Church. He died Thursday at age 89.  

Cappiello's son — Steven — delivered the eulogy at the church, remembering his father as a family man with a warm smile and a special affinity for wine and cigars.

"He was very busy with Hoboken," Steven said, "but he always had time to play with us and take us to the shore in the summer."

Cappiello also had two daughters, Janet and Linda.

As the youngest of 12 siblings growing up in a three-bedroom apartment in Hoboken, Cappiello came from humble beginnings. 

"They didn't have much," Steven said during the eulogy, "but they had each other."

Growing up in a large working family in Hoboken in the 1960s laid the early foundation for Cappiello's service to the town, his son Steven said.

"He had a passion and love for helping people," Steven continued.

Cappiello's wife Dottie — whom he "loved for more than 61 years," according to Steven — was also present at the funeral.

"We'll always miss you," Steven concluded his eulogy, "but we know you're watching down on us with that warm, big smile."

Mayor Dawn Zimmer and former Mayor Pat Pasculli attended the mass, as well as Hudson County Freeholder Anthony Romano and former state senator Bernard Kenny. Also present were Council members Theresa Castellano and Beth Mason. Former police chief Carmen LaBruno attended as well as former councilman Theresa LaBruno.

"I know Stevie since I was a baby," said Romano, with tears in his eyes. "He was my father's life long buddy."

Kenny — who used to eat pasta and play cards at the Cappiello Civic Association on Friday nights in what he called "a political rite of passage" — recalled the influence Cappiello has had on local politics and the development of Hoboken.

Cappiello "saw the future," Kenny said, outside the church following the mass. Cappiello's decision to work with developers defined the town and what it looks like today, he continued.

"He made the new Hoboken," Kenny said, "and here we are standing in it."