John Philip Capellupo
John Philip Capellupo of St. Louis went home to the Lord and to his wife of 63 years, Mary Ann (neé Truesdale, who passed in 2020), on Monday, December 8, 2025, aged 91. “Cap” to his close friends, John was a man of unshakable faith and generosity, a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
John was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 20, 1934, to the late Philip Capellupo, an immigrant from Settingiano, Italy, and Frances (neé Dalsin) Capellupo of Minneapolis. When he was a young boy, John’s family moved to Centralia, Illinois, where his father worked as a manager for the Hollywood Candy Company; and a few years later, the family welcomed his sister, Mary Jo. John attended St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School and Centralia High School. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning its highest rank of Eagle Scout. He loved the outdoors and held a lifelong passion for fishing—even if he never quite acquired a taste for fish.
To help put himself through college at St. Louis University, he worked as a butcher and road surveyor. In 1956, he graduated with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and later earned his MSc in Applied Mechanics. He and Mary Ann were married in the presence of God, family, and friends at Holy Family Church on September 14, 1957. In the early 1960s he went to work for the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (later McDonnell Douglas Aircraft) and rose to President of McDonnell Douglas Aerospace before retiring in 1996. Through those decades and until his death, John was an active, integral member of St. Catherine Labouré of Sappington. He served as Scout Master for Troop 646 in the early 1970s.
In retirement, John worked as a consultant for AlliedSignal, the Boeing Company, Dell Incorporated, Hewlett-Packard Company, Hughes Aircraft Company, Israeli Aircraft Industries, Messier-Dowty, Raytheon, Texas Instruments, and Thayer Aerospace. Other than spending time with family, friends, and Church members, most important to him were the charities and institutions he served: Boys Hope/Girls Hope, the Capellupo Foundation, Today and Tomorrow Education, Fontbonne University, De Smet Jesuit High School, St. Catherine Labouré Parish and School, St. Vincent De Paul Society of St. Catherine Labouré, and the Boy Scouts of America to name more than few organizations who benefited from his support and involvement.
John is survived by his sister, Mary Jo Wehmhoff; his five children, Mark, Mona, Mike, Matt, and Kevin; sixteen grandchildren; and thirteen great grandchildren. He lived a blessed and purposeful life.
Services: Visitation and funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 27 at St. Catherine Labouré Catholic Church, 9740 Sappington Road, St. Louis, MO 63128. Visitation at 9:30 a.m. with the Mass to follow at 10:30 a.m. The Mass will be live-streamed at https://sclparish.org. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to a charity of your choice appreciated.
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Carl McCullough says
December 20, 2025 at 12:01 pmCap and I worked together on numerous aircraft production issues between 1984 and 1990. As a government representative, I can attest to Cap’s unmatched integrity and dedication. I’m not alone in those feelings. Last summer, after not seeing him for nearly 35 years, I was able to meet John for lunch and deliver him a binder containing personal tributes from former defense officials. Including several retired Navy admirals. They were clear in their regard for his setting the standard as the finest corporate executive they had known. Most of all, though, Cap was a friend whom we all knew as the epitome of sincerity and compassion. He was one of a kind and we all miss him.
Lucy Hannegan says
December 16, 2025 at 9:15 pmMr. Capellupo was instrumental in opening Twice Blessed Resale Shop for Our Lady’s Inn. During a presentation at the Skandalaris Center to compete for a grant to expand the store before a large crowd of judges I had the pleasure to drop his name as the President Emeritus of McDonnell Douglas. The whole assembly was audibly impressed that we had him on our team! He was a humble, generous and kind man. May he rest in peace.
Kevin Feicht says
December 14, 2025 at 9:20 amGreat memories of Mr. Cap – an inspiration – our hero – RIP !
Bettina (McArthy) Woolsey says
December 13, 2025 at 10:49 pmI’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Yet we know it is Heaven’s gain. You will ALL be in our prayers. Esp this Holiday Season. What a LEGACY he leaves for all of you AND he’s sure raised an amazing family to continue doing the things he taught. I’m grateful to have known him & Mary Ann. ❣️
Jon and Lisa Schulte says
December 14, 2025 at 11:29 amWe are so sorry to hear about Mr. Cap. He certainly is part of many memories of our childhood and youth. We hope those memories will sustain you all as you say goodbye to a great man. God bless your family, today and always.