WATERBURY – Mr. Michael R. Cappelletti, 75, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, after an incredibly courageous battle with leukemia on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in the VITAS Inpatient Hospice Unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital. He was the loving husband of the late Juliana F. (Sakocius) Cappelletti.

Mr. Cappelletti was born Nov. 7, 1942, in Waterbury, son of the late Rafael and Rose (Pugliese) Cappelletti. He was a graduate of Croft High School, class of 1961. He earned his associates degree from the Hartford Institute of Accounting, and while working full time and raising his family he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Bridgeport.

Mike was the CEO and executive director of Society of Plastics Engineers, retiring after more than 20 years of service. He was a longtime parishioner of Church of the Epiphany in Cheshire, and a longtime member of Wolcott Land Owners Association and Bristol Fish and Game Club. Mike enjoyed hunting and shooting trap and skeet with his friends.

He owned a 1957 Thunderbird, which he restored with pride. He was a former member of the Connecticut Chapter of the Classic Thunderbird Club and the Roaring 20s Car Club. His T-Bird was the winner of the AACA Senior Trophy at the prestigious AACA Car Show in Hershey, Pa.

Most importantly, Mike was completely devoted to his family. He was a compassionate caretaker of his wife, Juliana, the love of his life since he was 14 years old. He spoke to his family every day and the time spent with them and his grandchildren were his true joy.

Everyone loved Mr. C. Mike’s sense of humor stood out above all else. Fun was something Mike was a good at, and he was always the life of the party.

Mike is survived by his son, Mark Cappelletti and his girlfriend Pamela Miranda, of Waterbury; his daughter, Michele Correia and her husband Manny, of Tucson, Ariz.; and his grandchildren, Stefanie Correia of Oakland, Calif., and Matthew Correia of Tucson, Ariz. He also leaves behind his sister, Rosanne McGrath, his niece, Sue Allen and her husband Dan, and his nephew, Francis McGrath, all of Midlothian, Va.

Mike was predeceased by his sister, Karme Neeson.

Mike’s family would like to thank Dr. Victor Chang and the staff at Harold Leever Cancer Center, Dr. Hector Pun, the Infusion Center at Saint Mary’s Hospital, and Cathy and her team at Red Cross for their excellent and compassionate care.

His funeral will be Thursday at 9 a.m. from Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury, to St. Leo the Great Church for a Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions in Michael’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Red Cross, 64 Holmes Ave., Waterbury, CT 06710.

For information or online condolences, please visit our website: www.maioranofuneralhome.com