Annual Christmas Decorator Dies at 87

Tony Caprioni, Sr., 87, of Matawan, passed on to a new and glorious version of his former self on Friday at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. He was born in Red Bank and resided in Middletown for many years before moving to Matawan six years ago. People may remember his meticulous lawn and large holly tree lit up in blue lights every Christmas at the corner of Avenue D and Leonardville Road. 

Tony worked at the E. Osborn & Company mill on Catherine Street, Red Bank, before contracting staircases and custom cabinetry work on his own. He was later a mason with IUBAC Local 5 of NJ for more than 50 years. He poured concrete for such projects as the Garden State Arts Center, the AT&T R&D building in Holmdel, and Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant in Forked River, NJ. He was also an excellent bricklayer. 

He served his country in the US Marine Corp during WWII with tours in the Pacific Theatre, Okinawa, and the Occupation in China. He was a grateful and generous man who cherished his wife and family. His steady Catholic Christian faith sustained him and he humbly gave away the love and grace he received to everyone who met him. He was an early bird on the golf course and enjoyed playing as often as he could with friends and family. 

Tony was predeceased by his parents Fiori and Splendora DiPasquale Caprioni; a sister, Mary Kaney, Lincroft, and brother, Patsy Caprioni, Freehold. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rina R (DeLisa) Caprioni; his children, Mark A., and wife Victoria of St. Paul, Minnesota, Michael A., Eatontown, Tony (Anthony) Caprioni, Matawan, and Renee M. Moreau and husband Kenneth, Matawan; two grandchildren, Aja and Tristan; four great grandchildren, Justine, Lorenzo, Stephon and Samantha; a brother in-law, Pat DeLisa, Fair Haven, and many nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom he deeply loved. 

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, with a funeral home service at 6:30 p.m. Private cremation will take place on Thursday, July 11.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Avenue, 3rd floor, room 320, New York, New York 10001. Telephone: 212.629.8881.

Please visit Tony’s memorial website at www.johnedayfuneralhome.com.