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Caledonia, NY — Carmen Cappotelli was born February 22, 1943, in Batavia, New York. He was the son of Victor and Caroline (Yasso) Cappotelli. Carmen lived in Caledonia his entire life. In 1964 he married his next-door neighbor, Patricia. Two years later, their daughter Lynn was born.
Carmen began a career in the drywall business but later found that his passion was being around harness racing horses. He then opened up a stable at the Caledonia Fairgrounds where he started training, racing and breeding horses. He became a member of the USTA and the Western New York Harness Horsemen Association.
Carmen’s first race win was ironically, on April Fools’ Day 1969 with a horse named Will It. Throughout his career a few of his memorable horses were Tidal, Boswell and Red Clay. Of these three horses, Tidal became an open pacer and won the Wells Fargo Stake Race at Vernon Downs, Boswell was a $100,000 trotter racing in the open trots at Batavia Downs and Buffalo Raceway and Red Clay was the recipient of the Heart Of A Standardbred Award at Batavia Downs, winning the most races at the 2015 meet.
In addition to racing in NY Sire stakes, Carmen loved racing at the county fairs where he had multiple championship wins including Adadot, Ainodelac and Miss Sunny.
Aside from horse racing, he enjoyed cheering on the Buffalo Bills and the New York Yankees with his family. He was always ready to play a game of pool with anyone who was up for the challenge. Carmen’s pride and joy were his grandchildren, Jasmine and Tyler. He always looked forward to hearing about what they were up to!
Carmen was predeceased by parents Victor and Caroline Cappotelli; brothers Victor and Donald Cappotelli and sister Viola George.
Carmen unexpectedly passed Saturday afternoon, June 1, 2024. He is survived by his wife Pat Cappotelli; daughter Lynn (Donald) Carpenter; brother Archie (Joan) Cappotelli; two grandchildren Jasmine (Zachary) Hart and Tyler Carpenter; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Friends may call on Thursday, June 6, from 4-7pm at the Alhart Funeral Home, 3068 Main Steet, Caledonia. His Funeral Service will be held Friday, June 7, at 10am at the Funeral Home. Interment will be at St. Columba Cemetery, Caledonia. Memorials may be made to Maryland-A Haven For Horses, 8132 West Bergen Road, LeRoy, NY 14482.
