Louis Eugene (Gene) DeCaprio, 97, of New Castle passed away peacefully on Aug. 23, 2024. Gene was born in New Castle on March 26, 1927 to Louis and Philomena (Gagliardo) DeCaprio. He graduated from New Castle Senior High School in 1944, enlisted at 17 in the United States Navy, and proudly served two years in World War II. Post military, Gene enrolled at Westminster College as a sophomore, earning a year of college credit from an entrance exam. He graduated from Westminster in 1949 with a degree in English. Gene's love of acting and theater began at Westminster, and he participated in numerous plays and readings while in college, where he won the schools' best actor's award in 1949. After leaving Westminster, Gene attended the University of Wisconsin where he earned a master's degree in drama. Gene continued his studies doing postgraduate work at UCLA, California State University at Los Angeles, University of Pittsburgh, and Youngstown State University. In 1980, Gene received the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from Westminster College.

Gene began his career in education as a high school English teacher in Pacoima, Calif., and eventually returned to New Castle to teach at area schools, where he later served as a guidance counselor, school psychologist, and assistant superintendent for the New Castle Area School District. Following his retirement from the school district, Gene returned to his beloved Westminster College to begin a twenty-plus year career as the director of the Celebrity Series. In this role, he brought a diverse array of entertainment to the college and relished introducing each show. One of his greatest legacies is the July 3rd concert and fireworks event at Westminster College. In recognition of Gene's decades of contributions to the arts, he received a special citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives where they designated July 3rd "Gene DeCaprio Day." He also received the Army's Commander's Award for Public Service in recognition of the many Armed Services Band concerts he presented at Westminster.

In addition to his work at Westminster, Gene acted in numerous theatrical productions over the years, most notably at the Youngstown Playhouse where he won an Arthur Award for best actor and was a long-time board member. The arts and theater were an immensely important part of Gene's life, and he produced or participated in hundreds of performances, readings, galas, speaking engagements, and parades. Gene was also a long-time board member of the Hoyt Center for the Arts where there is an undergraduate scholarship named in his honor. He additionally served on the boards of Slippery Rock State University, Jameson Memorial Hospital, the New Castle Public Library, and as president of the local chapter of United Way. Gene was a member and former trustee of Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church.

Gene was also involved in politics, having served on the New Castle City Council for 13 years, first as a member and then as president. Gene was active in the Democratic Party in Lawrence County and organized and hosted numerous Democratic Party events in the 1970s and 1980s.

Gene was married to Thelma (Flaugher) DeCaprio for 57 years until her passing in 2012. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Cathy and Scott Wells of Orcutt, Calif., and his son Robert DeCaprio of New Castle. He is also survived by his sister Adele Torockio of Pittsburgh. Gene will be fondly remembered by his loving grandchildren Griffin and Paige Wells and Roman DeCaprio. Gene is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and other family members. Gene was an avid golfer and tennis player, a voracious reader, and a generous and loving father and grandfather. His humor, zest for life, and intellectual curiosity will serve as a reminder to us all to live life to its fullest.

The DeCaprio family would like to thank the staff at Clen-Moore Place for their gracious care of Gene in his final months.

Visitation will be held, Thursday, Aug. 29 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Cunningham Funeral Home, 2429 Wilmington Road in New Castle. On Friday, Aug.30 at 3:00 p.m., there will be a memorial service at Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church, 220 E. Clen-Moore Blvd., in New Castle.

"May Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest"