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Howard “Howie” Cappetta, 60, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Dec. 5 at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford, with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of 33 years to Sandra Norton Cappetta. Howie was born in New Haven on March 13, 1958, and was the son of the late Edward F. and Margaret “Peggy” Criscuolo Cappetta.

He was a graduate of Eli Whitney Technical High School, Hamden, in 1976. Howie worked as a truck driver for the former Perri’s Sausage of New Haven, Dematteo’s Fuel of North Haven, and as a bus driver for Greater New Haven Transit for 22 years. He was an EMR for the North Branford Fire Department Company #4 Ambulance. Howie had a 45-year volunteer career in firefighting, joining the North Haven Fire Department in 1974 at the West Ridge Volunteer Co. #3, and later transferring stations to the Montowese Volunteer Co. #2. Howie earned the rank of captain which he held until 2000. He then became firefighter and chauffeur. He was a lifetime member of both the Montowese and West Ridge Volunteer Fire Associations. Howie was a member and past president of the Southern Connecticut Antique Fire Apparatus Collectors, as well as Connecticut State Fireman’s Association Irregulars.

He was the father of Justin E. Cappetta (fiancée Averi Schwartz) and Matthew J. Cappetta; the brother of Adela B. Cumbo and Edward “Sonny” Cappetta; and the son-in-law of Doris and Nelson Gonzalez. He is also survived by his dog and best bud Thomas “Tommi,” many nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as his fire department brothers and sisters.

The visiting hours will be Dec. 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave. Family and friends are invited to meet directly at Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Therese Church, 555 Middletown Ave., North Haven, on Dec. 10 at 10:00 a.m. to attend a Mass of Christian burial and are also invited to attend the committal service immediately following in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Connecticut Hospice, Inc., 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405, or the Montowese Volunteer Fire Association, 282 Quinnipiac Ave., North Haven, CT 06473, in memory of Howard J. Cappetta. For an online obituary, visit www.northhavenfuneral.com.