James R. Caprio, 82, of Grand Island, NY, and formerly of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on Monday, November 22, 2021, at N.F. Memorial Medical Center.

Born on April 8, 1939, he was the son of the late Rocco J. and Josephine (Gruppo) Caprio; and the beloved husband of his high school sweetheart, Jean Marie (Saraceni) Caprio, who he married in 1958. They were blessed with four wonderful children. The loss of his daughter, Valerie Jean, in 2015 caused him tremendous sorrow.

Jim attended local schools, was president of his South Junior class, and graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1957. He attended the University at Buffalo, graduating in 1963 with Bachelors and Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering, having been sponsored by Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory (now Calspan, Inc.) in Buffalo, NY. Jim attended Cornell University on a National Science Foundation fellowship and graduated with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1966. While at Cornell he earned a coveted DeBye fellowship for his excellence.

Upon returning to Niagara Falls, Jim was an assistant professor of Electrical Engineering at the University at Buffalo from 1966 to 1972. His concern for his children's schooling motivated him to serve on the Niagara Falls Board of Education from 1969 to 1979, acting as president for several of those years. Jim navigated a difficult period of union labor strikes with fairness and good humor, often quoting General George S. Patton during board meetings – his favorite quote being, "I am a solider, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight." At one meeting his board colleagues jokingly presented him with a Four-Star General WWII helmet.

In 1972, Jim became the fourth employee of Comptek Research, Inc., at the time a budding Dept. of Defense contractor that was originally housed in an old hanger at the Buffalo Airport. He would eventually be named Chief Scientist and was instrumental in the design of radar signal processing algorithms employed in various U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force ships and aircraft. He firmly believed that a strong United States was the world's best hope for peace.

Jim was a natural teacher who had a way of getting his students to reason their way to the answer, always asking "what do we know, how can we use it?" He was an excellent writer and wonderful storyteller whose eyes sparkled in a way that warmed your heart.

Jim was raised with a deep Catholic faith, nurturing that faith throughout his life through prayer, spiritual reading and charitable acts. He was able to discuss religion with family and friends alike in a sincere way that touched many people's hearts. Jim made pilgrimages to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Fatima and Lourdes, and for several years gave talks on Our Lady of Guadalupe to various groups.

As a young boy Jim traveled to New York City with the Boys Club to play trumpet during the national anthem of a New York Giants world series game in the Polo Grounds. He was a life-long fan of the New York Yankees.

Golf was Jim's true passion. An accomplished member of his high school team, he grew up on the links of Hyde Park playing with his father, Rocky, and brother, Dick. Known for his smooth swing and deft short game, he would quote Ben Hogan's, "Fundamentals of Golf," to anyone who would listen. He also had a great sense of humor and was known to play the occasional practical joke. Once after hearing a sermon on the evils of Sunday golf, he good-naturedly placed a flag stick and park bench in the Church courtyard, drawing a reluctant laugh from the parish priest.

Above all, Jim will be remembered for his compassion, generosity, and faith. He was a trusted confidant and had a remarkable way of talking with people about God that touched hearts and gave hope. He was respected and beloved by his closest colleagues. He taught his children to think and read about their faith, and always acted upon that faith with charity.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Caprio is survived by his children, Linda Morinello, Cheryl Caprio and Jim (Colleen) Caprio, and was predeceased by his daughter, Valerie J. Caprio. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Angelo, Christen, Michaelina, Maria (Adam) Hayden, Lisa, Teresa, Jacinta, Joseph, and Gianna Morinello, and Juliette, Joseph and Gianna Caprio; also eleven great-grandchildren, Vincenzo, Christian, Santino, Romeo, Adriana, Giuliana, Atticus, Arabella, Gabriella, and twins, Michael and Francis; his siblings, Lucy (late Silvio) Martelli and Richard D. (Jollie A.) Caprio, as well as his Uncle Neil Gruppo, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim gave the ultimate gift of himself by donating his body to the UB Anatomical Gift Program.

A Memorial Mass for James' will be celebrated on Saturday, December 4 at 12 Noon in Holy Family Parish at St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY. The family will be present at 11:15 AM, and will also greet friends and family following Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Infant Jesus Shrine (3452 Niagara Falls Blvd, North Tonawanda, NY 14120), or the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center (1201 Pine Avenue Niagara Falls, NY 14301). Arrangements by M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel. Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.