East Northport, N.Y.–Richard K. “Dick” Capobianco, member of a family well established in the floor covering industry, passed away on Feb. 20 from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease. He was 78.
He is survived by his wife Sidnee and sons Christopher and Andy, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
After graduating from Glen Cove High School in 1955, Dick served in the U.S. Navy and returned to start a career in floor covering sales at Glen Floors in Hicksville, N.Y. One of the other salesmen, Fred Hughes, introduced Dick to his daughter, Sidnee. The two fell in love and were married in 1958. Fred Hughes left Glen Floors in 1959 and started his own business, Fred’s Carpet in East Northport. In 1971, he retired and sold the business to Dick and Sidnee. Eventually, two of their sons, Christopher and Andy became active in the business, and today, the store is operated by Andy and his wife, Marianne. Christopher left the company in 1992, staying in the industry in architectural sales, technical support and journalism (he writes columns on occasion for Floor Covering News). Christopher is currently with Spartan Surfaces, a wholesale distributor of commercial flooring. Christopher’s son, Graham, also works in the industry as a technical specialist with Roppe Holding Company.
Dick Capobianco, the third of 17 children born to Fred and Wilena Capobianco of Glen Cove, was an avid boater and skier. He was a member of the Northport Yacht Club and an active member of the East Northport Rotary Club.
Viewing is Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Brueggemann Funeral Home, 522 Larkfield Road, East Northport N.Y. The funerals service is Thursday, Feb. 25, 10:00 a.m., at Union United Methodist Church, 1018 Pulaski Road, East Northport.
Burial will be at Locust Valley Cemetery, with luncheon to follow at the Northport Yacht Club.