Obituary of Dante Justin Capezzuto

Obituary for Dante Capezzuto

Mother & Father- Lisa and Kenneth Capezzuto Son- Demetrius Grandmothers- Rachel and Marie Aunts- Colleen and Carol Uncles- Gary and Mario and many loving cousins.

Life Story for Dante Capezzuto

Dante Justin ( DJ ) Capezzuto of Pembroke Pines, Fla. passed from this life on June 19, 2015 after a tragic accident 2 days prior. Born April 17, 1979 in Houston, TX, he was the loving son of Kenneth and Lisa ( Passaro ) Capezzuto and devoted, single father to his eight year old son, Demetrius. Dante lit up a room when he entered with his dazzling smile and boundless energy. In his younger years, he participated in numerous sporting activities, including competitive swimming, track, soccer, football and baseball and had a wide circle of friends due to his charismatic personality. Although he had chosen not to attend college, he was a hard worker and pursued other areas of interest to include starting a small car detailing business, Dante's Inferno, which he worked at for a brief time in his early 20's. He was currently employed as a server at Brimstone Woodfire Grill and had been in the restaurant industry most of his adult life. Well known in the South Florida restaurant community, Dante always received rave reviews for his service and the attention to detail he never failed to provide. Quick to offer suggestions on meal choices and extremely knowledgeable in wines and pairings, he also was most likely to engage his clients in lively conversation that made them feel attended to and appreciated. It isn't any wonder he was noted on two separate occasions in write ups in the Sun Sentinel from food critics who mentioned the excellent and skilled service they were provided when they dined at his restauraunt. He had aspirations to attend classes for a Sommelier ( wine steward ) certification and there is no doubt that if he had been given the opportunity, he would have succeeded at that!

An avid fisherman, most of his free time was spent with a rod in his hand and his son by his side. He loved both salt and fresh water fishing and spent many hours of quiet contemplation on the lake behind his home. He also loved spearfishing and any and everything to do with the ocean, occasionally surfing or just enjoying those rare, lazy days on the beach. You could often find him grooving to Marley and enjoying many other artists, as his love for music was intense. He also loved gardening, and took pride in showing it off to whoever was interested. He grew everything from lettuce and tomatoes to strawberries and other fruits and herbs, using most in the kitchen where he loved to cook and create unique and delicious meals. It was always a treat to have him prepare a meal, and most definitely an honor to sit with him at the family table, sipping a rare wine he had chosen and conversing together on any number of topics. He will be missed in his mother's kitchen where they would prepare meals together, swapping cooking ideas and techniques.

Anyone who knew Dante would tell you that he was a kind and compassionate soul with a heart as big as the heavens. He never failed to show his love for his family, and never left or entered the house without a high five to Dad, or a hug and and " I love you" for Grandma, Mom and Demetrius. Ever the hopeless romantic, he never had difficulty letting anyone know just how he felt about them. Special occasions were always made more so by the little things he would do, such as spreading flower petals on the restaurant table where he worked for his grandparents' anniversary, writing novels inside greeting cards because the Hallmark sentiment was just never enough or coming in with huge bouquets of flowers on Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, or Birthdays. Dante had a way of making everyone feel special and loved because he never held anything back. He loved without boundaries and lived his life with utter joy and abandon.

A life is measured in gathered moments and memories. Fragments of time combine, weaving each moment, each day, each year into a rich tapestry that creates a life well lived. A good man is measured not in the material things he possesses or long lists of accomplishments, but in those moments in life that he has bent to tie a shoe, to kiss away a tear, or to stand on the shore and cast a line without the need for words. His life is measured in the unending, unconditional love he provides for his family and the quiet strength he never fails to give.
All those who knew and loved Dante are not only fortunate but wiser and more compassionate for the imprint he has undoubtedly ingrained in their hearts.

He is survived by his only son, Demetrius, parents Lisa and Ken Capezzuto, Grandmothers Rachel Passaro and Marie Capson, Aunt Colleen Passaro, Uncle Mario A. Passaro, Aunt Carol Capson and Uncle Gary Podobnick, numerous loving cousins and friends who were like family. He will be sorely missed by his loving girlfriend Rebekah Wells and her daughters, Vienna and Cyprus. He was preceded in death by Grandfathers Mario Passaro and Sam Capson and an uncle, Rick Passaro.

Special thanks to the staff at Palmetto General Hospital for the compassionate and excellent care they provided and to the staff of the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Angency of the University of Miami. Their dignified and empathetic approach during a most difficult time was invaluable. They formed a bond that will never be unbroken and cared for Dante as if he were their own.
Donations may be made in Dante's honor and memory to the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Program: www.surgery.med.miami.edu/laora/make-a-gift, or to The Florida Fishing Academy: www.floridafishingacademy.com

A Life Celebration Service will be held at Scarano's Funeral Home, 9000 Pines Blvd. Pembroke Pines, Fla. 33024 on July 5th from 2pm-7pm. Eulogy at 6pm. http://www.scaranofuneralhome.com/.
A Sea burial will be planned at a later date, just how Dante would have liked it to be.