Anthony Peter Caputo

From the greatest generation to have ever lived-our father, Anthony Peter Caputo, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2023, at 101 years of age. He was born on March 28, 1922, in San Jose, where he prospered as a young man wanting to join the Navy Seabees in WWII so that he would come out of the war with the skills needed to build a life and contribute to his brother Dan’s bridge-building company. And, he did just that. After serving 2 tours in the war-one in Guadacanal, the other in Okinawa, he married his young love, Virginia Jane Toste and together raised four children in the Willow Glen area-Sandy, Toni Jane, Peter, and Terri. Amongst them there were 9 grandchildren, Adam, Sarah, Lindsay, Gina, Jasen, Andrew, Jailena, Casey, and Shaylynn. Blessed with 10 beautiful great-grand children, Anthony’s home in Tres Pinos was always full of love, food, 49er football, and hunting stories. He is preceded in death by his wife Virginia, his son-in-laws Bill and Ben, and his granddaughter Sarah.

‘Tony’ lived the fullest of lives. He was the superintendent for Dan Caputo Company in San Jose, a construction outfit that was responsible for many of the bridges, overpasses, and roads that make up the fabric of the bay area. He was especially proud of the award-winning Eugene A. Doran Memorial Bridge in Crystal Springs. When he wasn’t supervising jobs, he was probably found deer hunting in Hollister, duck hunting in Los Banos, or big-game hunting on various continents. Dad eventually moved South to Tres Pinos near his beloved hunting ranch in Paicines, and started raising a small herd of angus cattle. He continued his love of the San Francisco 49ers proudly being a season-ticket holder since 1946 and enjoying games at Kezar, Candlestick, and Levi stadiums. Tony and Virginia attended all five of the Niner-winning super bowls. If the two of them were not at games, you could have found them traveling to most continents visiting livestock ranches with the Western Livestock Touring Association. He was proud of his Italian heritage and going to monthly meetings or dinners at the Tricarico Social Club in San Jose.

Tony’s kitchen was always alive with flavors of his homeland. Pots of polenta with wild game he bagged, stuffed clams forked from Pismo Beach, wild boar from Paicines, and most pasta dishes would be the center of family-night meals. He always claimed that his ‘youthfulness’ came from dishes with butter, olive oil, wild mushrooms, mustard greens, garlic, and a good drink of Campari or occasional beer. Fresh fruit has always been a staple in his diet-peaches, melons, and cherries at the top of the list! He also loved a good salami and cheeses of many varieties.

Dad’s interests waned just recently in the last ten months when his mind was not as sharp and he physically became more limited. However, he still loved to go out to water his trees, gaze at his flowers, and then settle down to watch a classic western. He read the Mercury faithfully and loved the challenge the stock market presented to him. Family dinners continued throughout his struggles and seeing his great grandchildren come to his side would light up his heart and put a smile on his face. He visited Washington DC and was able to see the WWII Memorial back in 2019. This was made possible through the Central Valley Honor Flight Program. If you wish, we invite you to make a donation to the Central Valley Honor Flight Program in Anthony’s honor, c/o Jim Orr, 716 Alps, Los Banos, CA 93635. Services will be held at the Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary in Santa Clara on November 7th at 10am, with burial to follow and a reception at the Three Flames Restaurant.