Michael John Capozzoli

Michael John Capozzoli September 9, 1949 – January 23, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michael John Capozzoli, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. After a long and hard-fought battle with cancer, Mike passed away peacefully on January 23, 2025, at the age of seventy-five in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Born in the Bronx, NY, to Michael Capozzoli and Anna Criscuolo, Mike endured a challenging childhood. He lost his father at the age of nine and his mother at nineteen, facing hardships that would shape his character and teach him to never take life for granted.

After his mother’s passing, Mike was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he proudly served as a military police officer in Stuttgart, Germany. His time in the Army instilled in him a strong sense of discipline, loyalty, and love for his country—values that remained central throughout his life. Upon returning to the States, Mike's life began a new course when he first connected with his sister Angela, who became his newfound family.

With limited resources, Mike utilized the G.I. Bill to pursue an education and form lifelong friendships. As a student at Dutchess Community College (DCC), he met Lynn Cersosimo, the love of his life. Mike studied education at DCC and later completed his degree at SUNY New Paltz. Though he never became a classroom teacher, his passion for teaching manifested in many ways throughout his life. Mike and Lynn married in 1974, building a loving home in Poughkeepsie, NY, where they raised their two children, Sara and Joseph. Their marriage of more than fifty years was marked by hard work, shared goals, partnership, and enduring love.

Mike was also defined by his entrepreneurial spirit. After working as a traveling salesman for a fastener supply company, he recognized an opportunity to better serve his customers by founding Sarjo Industries, an industrial supply company named after his children. What began as a small operation grew into a thriving business serving customers nationwide. For Mike, success was measured not by financial gains but by his ability to support and nurture his family and those around him; he was generous in all senses of the word.

In his forties, Mike discovered a passion for tennis, quickly becoming one of the top players in the area for his age group. His love for the game extended beyond his personal achievements; he became the assistant coach for the women’s varsity tennis team at Dutchess Community College and later served as head coach for the Marist College women’s team. As a lifetime member of the United States Tennis Association and a certified teaching professional, Mike found coaching to be his true calling.

In the early 1990s, Mike and Lynn fell in love with Hilton Head, SC. They cherished their time vacationing there with family, drawn by the beach for Lynn and tennis for Mike. After retiring, they split their time between Hilton Head and Rhinebeck, NY, relishing every moment spent with their children and doting on their grandchildren: Cassidy McGuire, Victoria Vargas, and William Capozzoli.

A lifelong learner, Mike’s curiosity and love for discovery knew no bounds. He embraced his Italian heritage by learning the language and traveling to Italy to connect with his roots. Whether playing the guitar, recounting stories of his youth, dreaming up new business ideas, or enjoying conversations with Lynn, Mike lived life with passion and purpose.

Mike leaves a legacy of resilience, generosity, love for his family, the importance of personal and spiritual growth, hard work, and an unrelenting pursuit of doing what’s right. Whether coaching his children’s sports teams, volunteering at their schools, serving on boards of directors, or offering a helping hand to someone in need, his actions were a testament to his values. His authenticity and positivity left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him.

In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Mike is survived by his sisters, Angela Ceparano, Betty Reagan and; brothers-in-law, Frank, Michael, and Robbie Cersosimo and Fred Conover; sister-in-law, Cathy Conover; nephews, Jesse and Chris Cersosimo and Craig Pritsky; niece, Dana Morello; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Capozzoli; and countless friends.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 31, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great, 31 Saint Gregory Drive, Bluffton, SC 29909. Following the Mass, Mike will be laid to rest at Beaufort National Cemetery, 1601 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC 29902. A celebration of his life will also take place in the spring in Dutchess County, NY.