Meng Sadly Announces the Death of Staff Member Don Capalbi
Dec 3, 2018
Press Release
Staffer also served as a Queens civic leader
QUEENS, NY – Today, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) sadly announced the death of Don Capalbi, her longtime staff member who also served as a Queens civic leader.
Capalbi died yesterday at a local hospice facility. He was hospitalized at Long Island Jewish Medical Center last month after sustaining a head injury from a fall.
Capalbi was a Community Liaison for Congresswoman Meng and served in the same capacity when she was a member of the New York State Assembly. Capalbi was also President of the Queensboro Hill Flushing Civic Association and a member of many other community organizations in the Flushing area.
“It is a deeply sad day,” said Meng. “A member of our family has passed away and we are devastated by this terrible loss. Don worked tirelessly for the people of our Congressional district. He was an invaluable part of my team, providing me with information and advice about community issues, and representing me at civic meetings and local events. He also fought tremendously for his neighborhood, dedicating countless hours to preserving and improving the quality of life in his community. But Don was much more than a terrific staffer and civic activist. He was also a great human being; a wonderful and special person who was selfless and full of life, and one of the kindest, friendliest and gentlest people I’ve known. He touched and impacted so many lives and was loved, admired and respected by all with whom he worked. Rarely did I see him without a smile on his face. I thank Don for his many years of dedication, and I will always remember his unwavering commitment to our constituents, and his many efforts to make our district a better place for all who live and work here. As I grieve his loss, I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends at this difficult time. He will be sorely missed but the legacy of his service, and the contributions he made to help others, will never be forgotten.”
Capalbi was 73 years old. He grew up in Astoria and was a longtime resident of the Queensboro Hill section of Flushing.