Arthur J. "Strip" Caponi

Arthur J. “Strip” Caponi Jr. passed away peacefully on June 16, 2024, just three days after celebrating his 96th birthday. Arthur was born in Leominster, MA on June 13, 1928, to Arthur and Rose (Mosa) Caponi. He was raised on Lincoln Terrace surrounded by the rich presence of Italian culture. Arthur entered the United States Army at the age of 18 and proudly served his country as a Military Police Officer during the Korean War. Upon returning home from the war, Arthur began his career in business, first by owning a gas station and then a used car lot along with a realty company. He was the proud owner of The Auto Mart and Mart Realty on North Main Street in Leominster for many years. 

Arthur was married to Theresa R. “Tess” Flannagan. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage together raising their five children, spending many summers at Hampton Beach, Spec Pond and Lake Wyman. Arthur was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who took great pride in designing and building Theresa’s lake house on Lake Wyman so that they could enjoy many years of having the perfect place for family and friends to gather. He loved his family and took every chance he got to tell people, “We have a nice family.” He was grateful for his “big family” and the many friends who were such an important part of his life. 

Arthur was a member of St. Leo’s Church, the Leominster Elks, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars as well as the Sons of Italy, the former Francesco Saladini Social Club and the Leominster Historical Society. He also served on the board of the former Italian American Cultural Society, a club he built with a group of investors and friends where many events and celebrations took place. 

Arthur was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Rose Caponi, wife Theresa Flannagan, brothers Bernard Caponi, Henry Caponi, Ernest Caponi, and Thomas Caponi, sisters Phyllis D’Elia, Eva Marrone, Olga Cipolla, Gloria Bodanza, and Rita Caponi. He is survived by his son Scott Caponi (Diane), his four daughters, Patrice Brewer (Richard), Melanie Caponi-Babb (Raymond), Karen Gasbarro, and Mary Kate McNamara (Timothy), his 11 grandchildren Sasha Park, Scott Caponi Jr., Nicholas Caponi (Samantha), Nathan Brewer (Kara), Jessica Brewer (Iain), Marisa Babb-Wetherell (Mark), Mackenzie Babb, Geno Gasbarro (Michelle), Carlo Gasbarro, Micaela McNamara, and Thomas McNamara. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Aria and Estella Fortunato, Nico and Sofia Caponi and Vincent Wetherell, along with his many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Manor on the Hill, Life Care Center of Leominster, and the Critical Care Unit at UMass Memorial Hospital Leominster for their exceptional care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Leominster Veterans Center (100 West Street Leominster, MA 01453) or The Leominster Historical Society (17 School Street Leominster, MA 01453) in memory of Arthur J. Caponi Jr. 

A graveside service will be held Monday, June 24, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Leo’s Cemetery, Lancaster St., Leominster.

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