Sayville Man Killed By Accused Drunk Driver Mourned Thursday

SAYVILLE, NY—Funeral services were held Thursday for Dominick Capizola, a 73-year-old Sayville resident who died early Sunday morning when he was struck by an alleged drunk driver going the wrong way on Sunrise Highway in Oakdale.

Noel Pastora, 56, of Hempstead, was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of Sunrise Highway, when he hit the sedan being driven by Capizola.

A funeral was held Thursday morning for Capizola at St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church in Sayville.

He was remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

"For the last 55 years, Dominick dedicated himself to uplifting the hearts of others as a catering and banquet manager," his obituary reads.

"Most of all Dominick loved being surrounded by family, and they are very lucky to have been in his care. He was proud of everything his family did. Pervading all aspects of Dominick’s life was a playful sense of humor. He was a kid at heart that had a joke for every occasion and loved to make others laugh, especially the family he loved with all of his heart. His mark on this world and everyone he met was profound. He was one-of-a-kind and will always be in our hearts."

Capizola is survived by his wife Gina; his daughter and son-in-law, Elisabetta Capizola and Scott Cliff, and their son Marcello Dominick; his sisters Theresa Strazzulo and Lucille Fazio; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Adolfo and Anna Galeotafiore; and his nieces and nephews Raffaella, Johnny, Dino, Patsy, Natalie, Sonny, Christine and Robert.

Pastora was charged with driving while intoxicated. He will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Sunday.