I remember Ed very well as an outstanding member of the Big Red Football team.  I pass through his hometown, Greene, NY on State Route 206 each time I travel to Ithaca from my home in Jewett.

David Kessler

From the Fort Greene, CO Tribune, November 9, 2007

Edward Capra 

Feb. 11, 1939-Nov. 6, 2007 

Age: 68 

From the Fort Collins, CO Tribune, November 9 2007

Residence: Greeley 

Tribute: Edward A. Capra was born to Edward A. and Mary (English) Capra and raised in Greene, N.Y. The second of five children, he grew up on a dairy farm and graduated from Greene High School in 1957. He attended Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and received a bachelor's degree in 1961 and a master's degree in 1963, both in agricultural economics. He played football at Cornell and coached the 150-pound football team. In December 1963, he married his college sweetheart, Mary Deitrich. 

After the early years in Rochester, N.Y., and Chicago, the family relocated in 1969 to Pittsburgh, Pa., where Mr. Capra continued a long and successful banking career. In 1982, the family moved to Cheyenne to pursue a lifelong dream to live in the wide-open spaces of the West. 

In 1988, Mr. Capra and his wife moved to Greeley, where he worked as a community bank leader. His banking career culminated in his role as the founding president and CEO of Weld County Bank, which subsequently was renamed Bank of Choice. He was a champion for his northern Colorado customers and a leader and mentor for his employees. He relished his role as a financial advisor and partner with many, many small business owners throughout the area to help them be financially successful and positive contributors to the community. 

Outside of work, Mr. Capra was a loyal and dedicated husband and father. His primary hobbies were investing, skiing and golf, which he shared with his family and pursued with equal passion. As an investor, he took great pride in helping others learn to save and grow their own money and was able to translate complicated financial ideas into simple concepts for all to use. As a skier, he truly enjoyed the Colorado mountains and loved to ski with his family and friends over the course of more than 20 years. He loved the fresh air and freedom of the big wide slopes. A dedicated golfer, he would buy golf club parts and assemble new clubs in the garage. He was forever perfecting his chip shots in the back yard and putting in the living room. Some of his favorite times were "hittin'em straight" down the fairway. 

At the age of 64, Mr. Capra was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic progressive lung disease for which there is no known cure. He received a lung transplant in August 2005, which extended his life for more than two years. Mr. Capra died Tuesday at his home. 

Survivors: His wife, Mary Capra of Greeley; his son, Jeff Capra, his wife Laura Britt and their son Ethan Capra, all of Austin, Texas; his daughter, Beth Capra and her partner June Dirstine and their daughter Tia Capra, all of Denver; his brother, Richard Capra and wife Francis Capra of Greene and their four sons; his sister, Linda Bruno and her husband Nick of Hammond, La., and their two daughters; the five children of Catherine Capra Butler; and a great-niece and numerous great-nephews. 

Preceded in death by: His sister, Catherine Capra Butler and his brother Carl Capra. 

Services: 11 a.m. Monday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 2222 23rd Ave., Greeley. 

Visitation: Family will greet friends from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the Allnutt Funeral Service Macy Chapel, Greeley. 

Notes: Instead of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or Meals on Wheels of Greeley and Weld County in care of Allnutt, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is an organization dedicated to researching the cause of IPF and the development of treatment options for patients, www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org. Friends may view the online obit, sign the guest book and send condolences at www.allnutt.com.