Andrew Joseph Capitan

Andrew Joseph Capitan passed away on March 27, 2026, in Manassas, Virginia, just one day after celebrating his 66th birthday. Andy was born on March 26, 1960, in Kingston, Pennsylvania, to Veronica Helen (Keefe) and Joseph Andrew Capitan. The youngest of six children, he was raised in Lynwood, Pennsylvania, in a close-knit and loving family. He was a proud member of the varsity wrestling team at both Hanover and Coughlin High School and was always happy to share advice on how to ‘detain’ someone or cut six pounds in two days. At age 16, he moved to Wilkes-Barre to live with his eldest sister Christine to attend a technical training school, an experience that not only strengthened their already close bond but also came with the memorable perk of occasionally driving her Corvette. Andy pursued masonry through a dual program combining academic studies with hands-on vocational training at the Wilkes-Barre Career and Technical Center. This early dedication marked the beginning of a lifelong passion and a remarkable career. Following a visit to Northern Virginia, Andy quickly recognized the opportunities available there and relocated, first to Alexandria and then Springfield. Industrious and determined, he worked as a bricklayer by day while delivering hotel room service at night, saving toward his dream of owning a business. His hard work paid off with the founding of Cap’s Custom Brickwork, Inc., which quickly flourished thanks to his skillful craftsmanship, integrity, and engaging personality, becoming well established throughout the commercial construction community of the Washington, DC metropolitan area. At a summer picnic in 1989 hosted by one of his major clients, The George Washington University Hospital, Andy spotted Geri in the crowd. He returned to the hospital the very next day to ask the engineer he’d seen her with whom she was and he learned she was the engineer’s sister-in-law, Geri. They soon connected by phone and the next morning she opened her apartment door to find a bouquet of flowers and a teddy bear for Jeff waiting on her doorstep. A grand gesture that perfectly reflected Andy’s spontaneous and loving nature. Just three months later they began their life together, building a partnership that would last 37 years. Andy and Geri were married on August 14 in a castle in Aberdeen, Scotland, in a ceremony filled with kilts, a bagpiper, and unforgettable romance. Their honeymoon took them across Scotland, exploring castles and abbeys. Andy was known to fondly joke, asking, “Why aren’t we in Las Vegas?” Still, he embraced every moment because it brought Geri joy, a reflection of his lifelong habit of putting others first. Together, they shared a love of travel, with a special fondness for cruising, which combined Andy’s passion for adventure with his deep love of the water. He took great pride in his 29’ IMP cabin cruiser, Company Profits, which he kept docked at the Occoquan Marina. Weekends were spent on the Potomac River or venturing into the Chesapeake Bay with friends. Among Andy’s favorite memories was an 18-day journey literally circumnavigating Delaware, traveling along the Eastern Shore visiting beaches across Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, all the way up to Cape May, New Jersey. The trip was filled with adventure, storms, scarce supplies, and breathtaking night skies filled with countless stars you never realize are there. It remained one of the highlights of his life on the water, as he put both himself and Company Profits to the test. Andy also embraced the thrill of skydiving, completing enough jumps to earn the ability to jump independently. Though he stepped away from the sport after becoming a father to his younger children, he always spoke of it with a wistful look in his eye and sense of nostalgia. In later years, Andy’s adventurous spirit remained as strong as ever. At age 60, he took up powered paragliding which his family quickly dubbed, ‘the flying lawn chair.’ He strapped a motor to his back, took off running and lifted off soaring high above the fields. This thrilled Andy and shocked his family; it was outrageous. A true artisan in brick and stone, he built his family a home solely with his own hands, a lasting testament to his remarkable masonry skill, creativity and determination. Those who knew Andy understood they could always count on him to fix anything. Exceptionally skilled and capable, there was little he couldn’t repair or create. Family was the center of Andy’s life. He welcomed Geri’s son, Jeffrey, into his heart and home as his own, and together they had two more children, Kristin and Christopher; the five of them built a family. He was a devoted and loving father who took immense pride in and found his greatest joy in building a life for and with his children. He was so proud of each of them as he watched them move through the milestones of childhood to become young adults. His ability to be The Best Dad was his life’s greatest accomplishment. Andy was preceded in death by his parents, Veronica and Joseph Capitan. He is survived by his wife, Geri Capitan; his three children: Jeffrey Perkins (Christina and Johnathan Horan) of Stafford, Virginia; Kristin Capitan of Manassas, Virginia; and Christopher Capitan (Abby Hash) of Manassas, Virginia; and his siblings: Christine Capitan (Hector DiVito) of Sugar Land, Texas; Diane Blaski (Charles Dzurek) of Swoyersville, Pennsylvania; Veronica Rother (Donald) of Allentown, Pennsylvania; Joseph Capitan (Kathy) of Kingston, Pennsylvania; and Reggie Capitan (Ellen) of Dover, Delaware. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, April 19 at 1:00 PM at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, Virginia. In accordance with Andy’s wishes, he will be laid to rest at sea, honoring his lifelong love of boating, travel, and adventure. Family and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service and celebrate Andy’s life.

Andrew Joseph Capitan

March 26, 1960 - March 27, 2026