Obituary of Richard R. Kaputa

Mr. Richard “Dick” R. Kaputa, 76, of Girard and formerly of Titusville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 03, 2016, at UPMC Hamot in Erie. Dick was born in Meadville on August 15, 1940, a son of the late Peter R. and Albertina Holcomb Kaputa. He was a 1958 graduate of Titusville High School, attended Lycoming College, Williamsport, and graduated from Bryant & Stratton Business College, Buffalo, NY with an Associate’s Degree in sales, advertising and management. Mr. Kaputa was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served with the Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force, Norfolk, VA. Dick was formerly employed as general manager of Kaputa Motor Sales, Tionesta and later as a salesman and sales manager for various area automobile dealerships. Dick also worked for the International Association of Lions Clubs as a Staff Representative for Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. areas. He then went on to be a Field Representative for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D.C. and as an area Sales Manager for Fidelity Associates, Gastonia, NC. He was last employed as a sales associate for Kaufmann’s Department Store, Millcreek Mall, Erie until his retirement in August of 2005. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Girard and a former member of the Titusville United Methodist Church. His interests included customized cars, NFL, NASCAR, playing cards, magic card tricks, and vacations. He was involved with the following organizations for many years which he served diligently and was recognized with many honors and awards; The Endeavor American Legion Post 526, PA District 28-W, Titusville B.P.O. Elks #264, Past Exalted Rulers Assoc., P.D.D.G.E.R, Elks National Foundation, Titusville and Tionesta Lions Club, a Past District Governor of the Pennsylvania Lions District 14-F, Past Master of Olive-Temple Lodge No. 557, F.& A.M. located at Tionesta, Scottish Rite Lodge of Perfection, Valley of Oil City, and a 32nd Degree Member of Scottish Rite Consistory, Valley of Coudersport, PA, a Life Member of the International Shrine Zem Zem Temple, Erie, the Legion of Honor, and various area county Shrine Clubs. He is survived by his former wife and caregiver Eleanor King of Girard; 3 children, a son, Shawn Kaputa and wife Denise of Johnstown, a daughter, Vikki DeBastiani and husband Donald of Camp Hill, a daughter, Michelle Hart of Austin, TX; 4 grandsons, Andrew DeBastiani, Cameron Kaputa, Evan Kaputa, and Mason Hart; a granddaughter, Grace DiBastiani; a sister, Jane Howe and husband Bill of Erie; 2 step-children, Gregory King of Oil City, Kristine Angevine and husband Chris of Rochester, NY; 2 step-grandchildren, Alexandria Shreffler of Meadville, Zavier King of Oil City; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St., Titusville, PA 16354, on Tuesday December 6th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. Funeral services will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church 302 W. Walnut St., Titusville, PA on Wednesday, December 7th at 11:00 AM with Rev. Darrell Greenawalt pastor of the Saegertown United Methodist Church and Rev. Brock Beveridge pastor of the Girard and Lake City United Methodist Churches, officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 1645 Eighth St., Erie, PA 16505.