Michael P. Caputo

Michael Patrick Caputo, affectionately known as Mike, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 16, 2026, at the age of 83. Born in Teaneck, New Jersey, on December 1, 1942, to Michael Hugh Caputo and Millicent Carmela Caputo (née Romano), Mike grew up in Teaneck and graduated from Teaneck High School in June 1960.

One week after graduation, at age 17, he left home for Plebe Summer, a rigorous, seven-week indoctrination program for all incoming freshmen (plebes) at the United States Naval Academy. He spent the next four years learning the skills and disciplines of duty, honor, and loyalty, which he would embody for life. Mike graduated with the Class of 1964 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. While at the Naval Academy, Mike excelled as a member of the Rifle Team and distinguished himself as one of the top marksmen in the country, earning All-American honors and capturing the individual NCAA National Championship in 1962—an accomplishment he carried with quiet pride for the rest of his life.

While at Annapolis, at the age of 19, Mike met Susan Joan Luoma, the love of his life. He loved telling the story of how they met and always described it as love at first sight. They married in 1964 and enjoyed a deeply happy 61-year marriage filled with devotion, partnership, and countless shared joys. Mike adored Susan.

After graduation, Mike earned his wings as a Navy pilot and served with Squadron VP-21. While on active duty, VP-21 was stationed together at Naval Stations in Florida, Texas, Maine, Spain, Italy, and Cuba. Mike and Susan cherished the close-knit families of the squadron. Those shared years of relocations, adventures, and mutual support created bonds that lasted a lifetime. The friendships they forged at the Naval Academy and in the squadron became like family to Mike and Susan and they cherished every reunion, where the stories, laughter, and camaraderie were renewed again and again.

After leaving active duty, in 1970, Mike and Susan settled in New Hampshire, making their home in Bedford in 1974. There they raised their four children and built a warm, community-centered life of friendship and service.

Mike was a longtime parishioner of Saint Elizabeth Seton Church in Bedford and one of its first Eucharistic ministers, serving quietly and faithfully. He was also deeply involved in youth sports, co-founding and serving on the board of the Bedford Youth Soccer Program, coaching kids, and attending hundreds of his own children’s games. He loved watching them play baseball, softball, soccer, and football, and he was always there for each wrestling match and XC ski race. Even though he worked over an hour away in Boston, Mike made effort to make it to every game.

Another immense joy of Mike’s came on the water. He and Susan kept the family boat on Merrymeeting Lake and Squam Lake, where Mike spent countless summer days teaching his children, grandchildren, and their friends to waterski and fish. Every day on the lake was filled with laughter, gentle instruction and the simple happiness of being together. Susan was his faithful companion on the boat.

Professionally, Mike spent the majority of his career as a financial advisor. He took genuine pride in building lasting relationships with clients, guiding them toward sound financial decisions and helping them achieve their family financial goals. In 1992, his son Tom joined him in the business, and in 2004 they founded the Caputo Group at Merrill Lynch—a father-son partnership grounded in trust, shared values, and mutual respect.

Mike was a true gentleman—sharp, kind, and blessed with a wonderful sense of humor that brought light to every room. He and Susan shared a deep love of family and friends, and together they created a life filled with warmth, connection, and joy. They both hold their Navy days especially close to heart.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years Susan; his son Mark and wife Lisa of Ketchum, ID; his son Tom and wife Kait of Norwell, MA; his daughter Meghan of Bedford, NH; and his son Michael and wife Kim of Poughkeepsie, NY. He was the proud grandfather of 12 grandchildren: Michael, Brittany, Christopher, Jackson, MacKenzie, Katarina, Connor,

Jacob (1LT), Hannah, Elizabeth, Robbie, and TJ; and great-grandfather to three: Malcolm, Wren, and Kennedy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church in Bedford, NH. Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life to honor Mike’s memory. The date and details will be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made in Mike's name to the Wounded Warrior Project or a charity of one’s choice.