William Caputo

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William Joseph Caputo, 72, passed away peacefully at home on April 21, 2020 surrounded by his family after a long battle with congestive heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes, and a form of Leukemia.  He never did anything small.

Billy’s seventy-two years were filled with more laughter, friends, and adventures any average man would expect to enjoy.

As a boy he used to watch wrestling with his grandfather.  He knew then he wanted somehow to be involved and so began an over 30 year career as a professional wrestling referee and then about 15 years as an inspector with NY State Athletic Commission.  His day job was an ironworker for the NYC Dept of Bridges and Tunnels.  But this part time gig brought him to amazing places like Singapore, Puerto Rico, and Allentown PA.  Besides being on television, he was in a ring in front of thousands of people at Madison Square Garden.

He happily retired from his NYC career in 2009.  All this new free time, gave him the opportunity to sleep late and spend time with his friends from the Knights of Columbus.  He was a very proud member of the Stolzenthaler Council, eventually becoming Chairman of the Board of District Deputies.   Through the Knights, he was afforded the opportunity to host the annual Wounded Warriors Project Banquet many times.  He so enjoyed it that he would start testing his jokes months before.

He loved his family fiercely.  When he was diagnosed with his “perfect storm” of ailments in August of 2018, we all agreed to face this battle with laughter.  And we did…sometimes belly laughing in places we probably shouldn’t have, constantly reminding Billy to use his “inside voice”.    Hospice care through the Visiting Nurse Service of NY gave us the opportunity to keep this “show” going for a little over a year, even giving him his last television appearance on the Today show in February.  We are forever grateful to Kathleen, Uray, Vivian, and every single person involved with Billy’s care, who have become family and were integral members of our team.

Besides his family, the Knights of Columbus, and wrestling Billy loved White Castle, the comedy of John Pinette, trips to the Christmas Tree Shop for gummies, old monster movies, Doo Wop music, Andy Griffith, Mike’s Diner, being on television, and he never met a peanut brittle he did not like.

Billy is pre-deceased by his parents and his beloved pug, Bono.

Billy is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jane, and his children Susan Marston (Steve), Kate Miley (Frankie), and Billy Caputo (Tracy).  He cherished and treasured time with of all of his grandchildren:  Joanna and Ryan Marston, Kelly Recce, Keira Miley, Julianna Caputo and Ryan Pepey.  He loved being the big brother to his brothers and sisters: Bobby, Nicky, Donna, Johnny, Marie, and Patricia Caputo and Ronnie and Harry Addington.  He was a proud uncle to his nieces and nephews: Claire and Zach Munguia, Nicholas and Caitlin Caputo, Lynne Distefano and Nicole Guidera.

Billy will be in repose on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 @ Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Staten Island from 2-5pm for those who would like to pay respects.  A Catholic Mass and memorial to Billy’s life will planned in the near future and information will be forwarded and made available at that time.

To say that he leaves a huge hole in our lives is an understatement.

In lieu of flowers donations to the Wounded Warrior Project in William's name would be appreciated.