Albert ’54 and Raymond ’57 Capozucca

2019 Alumni Achievement Award: Community Service

Albert and Raymond were honored at the 39th annual Columbus Day Banquet as the Persons of the Year by the Italian American Association of Luzerne County on Oct. 9, 2016. In an article in the spring 2012 issue of Thy Traditions Dear, the brothers credited Milton Hershey with giving them their start. At the time, they were celebrating the 50th anniversary of their business, Capozucca Brothers Plumbing and Heating in Pittston. Ray and Al’s sons have since taken over the business after their retirement over the past few years.

Albert and Ray remain actively involved in the community. Albert is a member of the St. Joseph Marello Parish in Pittston and is a 59-year member of the Pittston Township Volunteer Fire Department. He is a charter member of the Pittston Township Lions Club, where he serves as president. Additionally, he is the club’s representative for the Upper Valley Eye Bank Association. He was one of the original founders of the Pittston Township Little League where he served on the board of directors for many years. He also served on the Pittston Township Sewer Authority Committee. He is a former member of the Pittston Knights of Columbus and is a member of both the Italian American Association of Luzerne County and the Italian Citizens Enjoyment Club.

Throughout the years, Raymond has been involved in numerous clubs and associations, the most recent being the Italian American Association of Luzerne County. He also is a member of the Italian American Citizens Enjoyment Club and a charter member of the Pittston Township Lions Club. He was a founder and member of the board of directors of the Pittston Township Little League along with the board of United Services Agency. He held various offices with the Pittston Township Fire Department along with the board of directors of the Northeast Fair. He was a member of the Holy Name Society of Mt. Carmel, now known as St. Joseph Marello Parish, along with the Flag Association of Pittston Township.

The Capozuccas credit their mother, Emma Capozucca, for making the very difficult decision to send her two youngest children to MHS when her husband died from black lung disease at a young age. Without this decision their family wouldn’t be who they are today, and there is no telling where their paths would have led us if it wasn’t for a very brave woman, Emma, and a school for orphaned boys.