Anthony Joseph Capritto

Anthony Joseph “A. J.” Capritto passed away peacefully at his home on July 10, 2022, just one day shy of his 91st birthday. A. J. was the beloved son of the late Philip Joseph Capritto and Marie Longo Capritto. He is survived by his wife of over 58 years, Eileen Frisbee, with whom he had ten children: Ann Dowling (Adam), Jane Alvarez (René), Michael, Margaret

McFarland (Joe), Beth Traina (Wayne), Alice Cibilich (Tony), Judy Muscarello (Nicky), David (Jill), Mary Smith (Kennedy), and the late Thomas Edward. He was "Pops" to twenty-five grandchildren, whom he cherished.

A. J. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the grandson of Italian immigrants. He graduated from Jesuit High School in 1948 and Loyola University of New Orleans in 1953 with a degree in business. A. J. was a member of Upsilon Beta Lambda (UBL) Fraternity and, as a pledge, was quite the prankster, whose antics were legendary among his fraternity brothers.

A. J.’s studies were interrupted when he was called to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War, resigning at the end of the conflict with the rank of Captain. He returned to New Orleans and to Loyola, attending that university’s law school, where he was a member of the Moot Court team. Upon obtaining his Juris Doctor in 1959, A. J. embarked on a legal career that spanned six decades. One of the many highlights of A. J.’s expansive legal career was his admission before the United States Supreme Court. A. J. served as a member of the Louisiana Civil Service Commission for thirty years, many of those as Vice Chairman. As a result of his efforts on behalf of the Louisiana Civil Service Commission, A. J. was awarded the Monte M. Lemann Award, which is given to individuals outside of the classified civil service system who have made the greatest contribution to the advancement of the merit system of public employment in Louisiana. 

A. J. left an indelible mark on this earth through his civic involvement and devotion to his community. Jesuit-educated, A. J. fully embraced the Jesuit motto, "For the Greater Glory of God" and, following the directive of his beloved Jesuit High School, lived his life as a man for others. A. J.’s volunteer efforts earned him recognition as a St. Elizabeth’s Guild Volunteer Activist. He was also a recipient of the Order of St. Louis IX Medallion. 

A. J.’s Catholic faith played a prominent role in all that he did, and many organizations he served were faith-based. One of his greatest pleasures was serving as Lieutenant of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, Southeastern Lieutenancy of the United States of America. He was given the title Lieutenant of Honor and awarded the Gold Palm of Jerusalem, the highest honor the Order can bestow on a member.

A. J. was a member of the President’s Council of Loyola University of New Orleans, President of Catholic Charities Association, President of the St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Association, Chairman for the Associated Catholic Charities Charity Ball, President and former board member of Christian Brothers Foundation, President of the Holy Name of Jesus Society of St. Pius X Catholic Church, a member of Louisiana Lawyers for Life, a member of Catholic Charities New Orleans Archbishop Hannan Community Appeal, and a former chairman of the WLAE “And All That Jazz” brunch and auction. A. J. also served as President of the Louisiana Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and became President of Region 8 of the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Since his graduation from Jesuit High School, he was an annual retreatant at the Manresa House of Retreats where he would lead the others in the Angelus.

Music was a big part of A. J.’s life from as early as his Jesuit High School days when he played clarinet in the school band. He loved opera and attended performances locally as well as internationally. A. J. served as President of the New Orleans Men’s Opera Club. He was also a board member of the New Orleans Opera Association and of Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré.

A. J. loved New Orleans, especially Mardi Gras. He served as a long-time attorney and board member of the Semreh Club and was honored to reign as Hermes LXII. Despite his love for New Orleans, there was an entire world A. J. was interested in exploring. Travel was his hobby. He also enjoyed drinking fine wine and eating delicious food. His global travels often combined these interests, and he could regale you with stories of what he ate on which trip many, many years later.

A. J. was a long-time parishioner at St. Pius X Church in New Orleans, serving as a regular lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Following Hurricane Katrina, A. J. and his wife temporarily moved to Baton Rouge and, upon their return to New Orleans, became parishioners of St. Patrick’s Church.

It was A. J.’s belief that we all have a responsibility to leave things a little better than we found them. And, for those of us who have been privileged to know him, we can each say we are better for having had A. J. in our lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jesuit High School in New Orleans or Manresa Retreat House.

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