Thomas Capelle

Thomas "Tom" Capelle, 64, passed away January 29, 2023, after a short battle with cancer.  Born March 12, 1958, he is the son of the late George and Audrey Capelle.  He was a graduate of Premontre High School Class of 1976. Tom then went to Edgewood College in Madison graduating with an Education Degree. He started his career at Brillion Elementary then was a teacher at Bellin Psychiatric Center and completed his career at the Green Bay Area Public Schools retiring from Edison Middle School. Tom was a swimmer with the Green Bay YMCA Swim Team for 10 years and eventually went on to become the assistant coach for a number of years. He was a swimming referee for the WIAA/NCAA through the present day. For the past 25 years, Tom was a boat driver for the Waterboard Warriors Water Ski Show Team.  He was a swim coach for Green Bay United Boys swim team since 2008. He was a fourth degree in the Knights of Columbus. Tom was a mentor, coach, teacher, friend, and guide to everyone and was affectionately known as "Uncle Tom". He was the "golden thread" that connected so many through the schools, swim team, ski team, with family and friends. Even in his last days so many new friendships were created because of him. Tom was known for being kind, gentle, humble, respectful, and he cared about everybody.  He truly saw the best in everyone and believed in others. Tom was always a teacher and allowed his friends and family to learn so much about the power of sharing stories, tears, laughter, the power of faith, and being kind to each other. He believed in the good of others and in helping others to be their best. Tom loved teaching, fishing, gardening, the Green Bay Packers, and his faith.

Survivors include his sisters, Theresa (Kevin) Harold of Pleasant Prairie, WI, and Mary Capelle of Green Bay; nephew, William (Hannah) and their children, Zachary, Benjamin, Charlie, and Aubrie and his niece, Alyssa Harold.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation at Malcore Funeral Home, 701 N. Baird St., Sunday February 5 from 4 PM until the time of the Parish Wake service at 7 PM. Visitation will continue Monday, February 6, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 2040 Hillside Ln., from 9 AM until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM.

Thank you to all of his friends, family, swimmers, ski team members, teachers, and parish members that came to visit, and sent messages and videos in his last days. A special thank you to George, Chris, Tracie, Jay, Tim, Tracy, Terry, Chow, Kendalin, Carmen, Mike, and Marty for being there for Tom at the hospital.

In lieu of flowers any donations will be going towards a memorial scholarship.

Tom's line was "swim smart" and he demonstrated every day on how to "live smart".