THE PASSING OF A PEACFUL WARRIOR

This past week the club lost one of its more colorful cast members with the passing of Art Capstaff. Those of us who knew him will treasure his memory for many years to come. Listed below is a daisy chain of e-mails that passed around when the news was shared.

Andrew Oliver-

Art has lost his battle after 2 1/2 years. He was determined that he would beat his cancer, but it was not to be. There will be a service this coming Saturday at  11 a.m. at Star of the Sea.

Here is the obituary in the Globe:
CAPSTAFF, Arthur Erikson Of Marblehead, MA, April 2013, after a two and a half year battle with cancer. Beloved husband of Diane Murphy Capstaff for 42 years; also leaves a loving sister-in-law, Joan Murphy Parkinson, 5 nephews and a niece plus 12 great nephews and nieces. His Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady, Star of the Sea, 35 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead, MA on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. At the family's request, there are no visiting hours. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 201, Topsham, ME 04086, (http://www.mcht.org) or The Island Institute, P.O. Box 648, 386 Main St., Rockland, Maine 04841. (http://www.islandinstitute.org) For online guest book or additional information, please call the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970, 781.631.8885 or please visit: www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.
Pal B- Oh, thank you, Andrew.  He will be missed as both an intelligent and supportive rowing partner.

Sarah S- Our thoughts and prayers are with his family . We will miss his his enthusiasm  and his energy toward helping us be better and safer rowers.

Jay P- Thanks, Andrew. I am so sorry to learn this. I have lots of memories of Art, my favorite being the time he entered and completed the Marblehead race. He received his medal of participation and posed ferociously for a picture on the beach at Children’s Island, repeating so proudly to anyone within 50 yards that  it was the first athletic award he’d ever received. He was lit up like I’d never seen him before with his boyish enthusiasm for rowing that really never waned. He reminded  me of why I love it so. Later that year, when we talked about rowing from Marblehead  to Provincetown, he spent weeks excitedly thinking through  ways to refit his Hinckley (chase boat) to save us and our Echoes in every possible emergency.  Then about a year ago he asked if we could meet at the Landing to discuss a secret plan he had devised to beat his cancer. When we did, he declared that he wanted to row from Marblehead to Florida. He said that  in undertaking the trip he hoped its purposefulness and the hugeness of the challenge would make the cancer drop away. Then he said wistfully that if he died in the process, it would okay. It was an honorable way to go. He got too sick to actually undergo the row but I wouldn’t be surprised if he continued to plan it to the end. His deep love of the sea and of traversing it  in a shell represented a great part of Rock N Row. The club should officially honor him.  

 Andrew O-Jay - thank you for sharing this. These stories epitomize the essence of the man. He told me he had a 20 year plan once he had beaten the cancer. I don't think he allowed a negative thought to enter his mind

 

Emily G- Thank you for sharing the news, Andrew. It makes me so sad that we've lost such a wonderful club member, person and friend. His love for the sea and all related equipment was always evident. :-) I loved coaching Art, but my fondest memories are the emails I received  from him- more accurately correspondence. They have always been far and away my favorite. They were always so thoughtfully and kindly composed, endearingly riding the line between familiarity and formality, it was like receiving a letter from a far away friend.  He always made me smile.
His kindness, consideration and enthusiasm will be sorely missed, but I have to imagine he is sailing the high seas and happily tinkering away on some heavenly boat.

  

Tzivya S-I am sorry to hear this sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with Art's family and his many friends from the club.

Paul M-Just talked to Henry. Art wanted a Viking funeral. Lets talk about a fitting ceremony

Paul M-To all Art's rowing friends,

We have lost a dear friend and will look to honor him in true Rock&Row fashion, share your ideas please… Many of you have shared your memories, Emily's says it all for me:

"I loved coaching Art, but my fondest memories are the emails I received  from him- more accurately correspondence. They have always been far and away my favorite. They were always so thoughtfully and kindly composed, endearingly riding the line between familiarity and formality, it was like receiving a letter from a far away friend.  He always made me smile"

Sadly I last saw Art in the fall when he wanted to ERG again, he looked healthy and strong and determined to outlive his illness. I hope his final days were filled with love and peace.

Hope you will join us at his funeral Saturday, Star of the Sea 11AM. 

 

Sheila and Stan R- Please give Art's family our best wishes.  We saw Art the week before we left for our cruise and he looked great.  We are unable to attend the funeral as we just disembarked the cruise ship in San Diego and on our way to Hawaii to visit with our son and his family tomorrow.
 

Bobbie O- This is indeed sad news.  I had heard in church that Art was at Mass General.  I have many good memories of rowing with Art my first summer with the club.  He was always patient, and kind AND loved to talk with a twinkle in his eye about his grand vision of rowing to Cape Cod! I agree with Emily, I hope he is up in heaven tinkering with a boat and rowing through the waves!

 

Carmi P- Art was a great man, devoted husband and committed advocate for the safety of all who enjoyed boating and rowing the beautiful waters surrounding Marblehead. I consider myself fortunate to have been an acquaintance of such an honorable and kind man.

Gail Doyle-Sad news for sure.  Perhaps having an Annual Art Capstaff Memorial Row would be fitting...  To Provincetown

Karen P-Thoughts and prayers for Art and his family.

Loretta A-We will miss Art. Thoughts and prayers roll out on the waves to his family and friends.

Shannon T-Such sad news.  My thoughts and prayers are with Art and his family. 

Jack T-  I have always enjoyed this passage from the Hebrew Talmud and think it's very appropriate in describing Art.

In a harbor, two ships sailed: One setting forth on a voyage, the other coming home to port. Everyone cheered the ship going out, but the ship sailing in was scarcely noticed. To this, a wise man said: Do not rejoice over a ship setting out to sea, for you cannot know what terrible storms it may encounter, and what fearful dangers it may have to endure. Rather rejoice over the ship that has safely reached port and brings its passengers home to peace.

And this is the way of the world: When a child is born, all rejoice. When someone dies, all weep. We should do the opposite. For no one can tell what trails and travails awaits a new born child: But when a mortal dies in peace, we should all rejoice for he has completed a long journey, and there is no greater boon that to leave this world with the imperishable crown of a good name.