Maurice Dominic Cappelluti (92) was born on February 23, 1930, in Madera, California, to the late Joseph and Freda Cappelluti, and passed away on December 30, 2022, at the age of 92. Maurice attended the old Lincoln Elementary School and graduated from Madera High School in 1947. He attended dry cleaning trade school on the east coast and then returned to Madera to join his father in the family business Madera Cleaners and Laundry. He was joined a few years later by his brother, Don, and the two ran the business until his retirement in 1999 when his son, Dan, took over.
Maurice met his future wife, Marie, through a friend in 1953. She lived in San Francisco, and he spent nearly every weekend visiting until he convinced her to marry him on August 7, 1955, and make their home in Madera. They had three children, Celeste, Dan, and Sharon.
Maurice joined the National Guard in 1948 and received the Medal of Merit for his service at the Watts Riots in Los Angeles. He later joined the Army Reserves in 1966 and retired as a colonel on May 22, 1984.
He was a community advocate. He was a charter member of the 20-30 club, a past member of the Madera Elks Club, and a life member of the Kiwanis Club of Madera. He served on the Madera Community Hospital Foundation Board and served on the Madera County Grand Jury. Maurice was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Madera Chamber of Commerce.
Maurice’s Catholic faith was an integral part of his life, and he was active in the Young Men’s Institute from 1947 until his passing. He was awarded the Catholic Man of the Year in 1968. For over 50 years, he chaired or assisted with the annual Cioppino Dinner raising funds for the parish. He organized and participated in many fundraisers for both the church and St. Joachim School throughout the years. He was also one of the first school board members at San Joaquin Memorial High School. In recent years, he volunteered every week at the St. Joachim Holy Family Table, cooking for hundreds of homeless families in our area.
Maurice served as a trustee on the Madera Cemetery District Board for over 36 years until his death and was named the Trustee of the Year in 2008. In this capacity, he was instrumental in helping to guide the District to be one of the most successful districts in the state.
After he retired, Maurice took up the game of golf and was a continuing member of the Madera Golf and Country Club and played until just a couple of months ago. He very much enjoyed golfing, traveling, and socializing with some of his closest friends for many years.
Maurice was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Freda Cappelluti, his beloved wife, Marie Cappelluti, his sister, Joan Gustin, and his son-in-law, Dale Voyles. He is survived by his children, Celeste Voyles, Daniel Cappelluti (Patricia), and Sharon Creamer (William), seven grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.
Maurice’s family expresses their sincerest appreciation to his friend and companion, Lucille Gamble, and the staff of Right At Home Care Assistance and Valley Regional Hospice, who made these last few years, months, and days comfortable and dignified.
A viewing will be at Jay Chapel (1121 Roberts Avenue, Madera, CA) on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, from 2-6 p.m., followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at St. Joachim’s Church followed by entombment at Calvary Cemetery in Madera.
Remembrances may be made to St. Joachim Holy Family Table.
