BURTONVILLE, Md. — Juniper Capece, OFM, 80, a professed friar for 60 years, died Nov. 3 at the Sanctuary at Holy Cross hospice care center.
Early Years
A native of Vineland, N.J., Anthony was born April 14, 1932 to Vincenzo and Arminda Capece. He was baptized at Sacred Heart Church in Vineland, where he attended schools.
He was received into the Order on Aug. 11, 1951 in Paterson, N.J., receiving the religious name of Juniper. He professed his temporary vows on Aug. 13, 1952 in Paterson and his final vows on Aug. 17, 1955 at Christ the King Seminary in Allegany, N.Y.
Ministry
Juniper served as the provincial tailor and habit maker for 56 years. Between 1952 and 1983, he resided in Loundonville, N.Y., Rye Beach, N.H., New York City, and Allegany, N.Y.
In 1983, he was assigned to Sacred Heart Friary in East Rutherford, N.J., where he served from 1992 to 1996 as vicar of the friar community. On July 16, 1996, he transferred to Holy Name College in Silver Spring, Md., and retired from making habits on Dec. 4, 2009.
Although he no longer made habits, Juniper created rosary beads that are now in the hands of countless marines, sailors, soldiers and their family members who came to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
A wake will be held Nov. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m., with a wake service beginning at 8:30 p.m. at St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring. A Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, will be held on Nov. 9 at 12:30 p.m., also at St. Camillus.
Juniper will be buried at 10 a.m. on Nov. 10 at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa, N.J.
He is the brother of Catherine Henderson, the late Ralph, Frank Capece and Josephine Confalone; brother-in-law of Anthony Confalone, and uncle of Gregory Henderson, Lawrence Henderson, Victor Confalone, Frank Capece, Vincent Capece and Matthew Capece. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Catherine Henderson, 708 E. Chestnut Ave., Vineland, N.J., 08360-5721.
Memorial donations may be sent to: Holy Name Province Office of Development, 144 West 32nd Street, New York, N.Y., 10001-3203.
— Compiled by Theresa Bartha and Dominic Monti, OFM.