Walter A. Kapinos, 72, of
865 Kings Way, Naples, FL went
home to be with the Lord on August
17, 2024 after a long illness.
Walt will be deeply missed by all
who had the privilege of knowing
him, remembered for his unwavering
sense of humor, his infectious
smile, and his remarkable ability
to make everyone around him feel
at ease.
Walt was born on August 9, 1952 in
Rome, NY, son of Rudolph R. and
Ann M. (Stosal) Kapinos. He
graduated from Rome Free Academy
in 1970 and from SUNY Delhi in
1972. Walt spent 35 years in
executive banking culminating as
President and CEO of Marcy Federal
Credit Union where he retired in
2007. Walt then moved to Naples,
FL to be near his sister and
started a second career as a
Destination Graduation Mentor at
Golden Gate High School
(2010-2019) where he mentored “at
risk” students regarding
academics, job placement, and life
skills. Walt’s ability to connect,
encourage, and inspire these
students enable him to absolutely
shine in this role and deliver an
astounding 98% high school
graduation rate during his tenure.
His greatest gratification was
that many considered him to be
like a second father.
Walt unselfishly gave his time to
numerous volunteer activities
including being a past board
member (VP and Treasurer) and
coach of the Rome Girls Softball
Association and past Board
President and coach of the Mohawk
Valley Girls Softball. He coached
travel and league softball teams
for many years and taught values
beyond the game of softball. He
coached the first travel team from
Rome, NY to ever play in the ASA
National Championships in 1985. He
was also a New York State Amateur
Softball Association Youth
Commissioner. In Naples, Walt was
very active in Kiwanis
Naples-on-the-Gulf since 2008
including being a past President.
He loved working alongside amazing
friends while raising funds or
distributing food, clothing and
other items to needy families.
Walt’s hobbies included his
life-long love for the Orioles,
golfing, and bowling.
Walt was survived by his former
spouse, Pauline Caske Kapinos, and
his cherished daughter, Kim
Kapinos, who “was the best
blessing God could ever have given
to me”; sister, Kathleen (Mike)
Danough; nieces and nephews,
Thomas (Tracey) Walsh, John (Rina)
Walsh, Kellie (Eric) Neils, Jeff
(Camille) Walsh, Joe (Jennifer)
Fazio, Tracey (Sam) Fragapane,
Jason Danough, Scott Danough,
Samantha Vernold, Erica (Adam)
Miller, Katrina (Pat) Fiorenza,
Kendel (Steve) Miller, and cousin
Lynda (Leo) Smith. Special friends
include Tom and Karen Rahmer, Joe
Paterno, Bill Ricigliano, Ray
Martyniuk, Dan Washington, Brian
Snow, Paul Panara, and Jim
Czerski. Predeceased are
sister, Patricia (Jack) Walsh,
brother Joseph (Sheila) Fazio and
Rick Vernold, Joe Kapinos and Jim
Kapinos who were more like
brothers than cousins.
To honor Walt, a Celebration of
Life will be held at Foxfire
Country Club, Naples, FL on
November 17. In lieu of flowers,
the family asks that any donations
be made to: Kiwanis On-the-Gulf
Foundation, PO Box 656, Naples, FL
34106 for The Walter Kapinos
Scholarship at Golden Gate High
School.
“To those who may mourn me, know I
am saved by the blood of my Savior
Jesus Christ, so celebrate my life
and wait for the day we are all
called home by our heavenly Father
in Heaven.” -- Walter Kapinos
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Tribute
to Walt
I will always remember Walt as a
lifelong friend and will miss him
greatly. We met in the 1960s and
remained friends throughout the years.
We lost contact at times when we moved
but whenever we got together it was
like we were still in school again and
our conversions never lost a beat. I
am so glad that we got together again
in 2020 with Jim Czerski and Paul
Panara to meet in South Carolina with
our other friends from Rome NY, Mike
and Dave Pettinelli. It was like being
in Junior High and High School (Rome
Free Academy) again. We all went
through many experiences since our
days in Rome NY but we always had a
bond that time and distance only made
our time together and phone calls even
more enjoyable. Since 2020 Walt
and I have called each other many
times, sometimes every week sharing
our experiences regarding the sorrow
of losing family and friends and
Walt’s medical issue. We always had a
laugh and talked about our times in
our high school cafeteria with Jim and
Paul and other friends discussing our
classes, aspirations, the college we
would be attending and naturally
girls. We always kidded with each
other to put it mildly at school and
we did the same thing 50 years later
on the phone or in person. That is
something many of us will always
remember and cherish. There was
something unique about the time and
place where we grew up and with the
fantastic family and friends we had
around us. That seems missing today
for many people. We indeed were
fortunate and it’s amazing that we
still have some of those same friends
as we continue down our paths and
twilight years. I would like to think
Walt is in a better place with family
and friends and physically in a new
body without pain and suffering
waiting for the rest of us where we
will have some more laughs and
adventures. God Bless you my friend.
Until we meet again.
Mike Amato
Thanks to Mary Fahey for photos
Thanks to Mike Amato for these 2 photos
Mike Amato -
Mike Pettinelli - Paul Panera - Walt - Jim
Czerski
