Nicholas J. Cappello Sr., RCA executive

Nicholas J. Cappello Sr., 103, of Haddonfield, who retired in 1974 as vice president of human resources and labor relations for the government and commercial systems division of Radio Corp. of America, died Tuesday, Oct. 21, at his home.

Born in Whitehall, N.Y., on the southern shore of Lake Champlain, Mr. Cappello graduated from Whitehall High School and, after a three-year apprenticeship as a tool and die maker at General Electric Co. in Schenectady, N.Y., studied at the Brooklyn campus of the Pratt Institute.

To help pay for his education at the beginning of the Depression, he worked in a drug store and at a night school that trained machinists.

Mr. Cappello earned a bachelor's degree as an industrial mechanical engineer from Pratt in 1933, and began his 41-year career at RCA, son Ronald said.

He had actually had two careers at RCA, rising to become manager of manufacturing engineering before shifting in 1946 to become manager of labor relations at RCA in Camden.

He was responsible for dealing with five unions there until, after becoming manager of personnel and labor relations for the government & commercial systems division, he dealt with personnel at eight RCA sites across the nation and in Canada.

In 1950, RCA gave him its Award of Merit, and in 1951 RCA published his booklet, A Supervisor's Guide to Good Human Relations.

In 1954 and 1955, he was campaign chairman for the Camden County Red Cross Fund Drive, and in 1957 he was general chairman of the Camden County Community Chest Fund Drive, a predecessor to the United Way, his son said.

The Camden Catholic Diocese awarded him its Bishop's Medal as well as the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal, instituted in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII for outstanding service to the Catholic Church.

At Christ the King Church in Haddonfield, his son said, Mr. Cappello attended daily Mass, was a Scripture reader, and at one time was president of the Holy Name Society. He made an annual spiritual retreat as a member of Men of Malvern.

He was a member of the Tavistock Country Club.

Besides his son, Mr. Cappello is survived by sons Nicholas J. Jr. and Roger, 14 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Virginia, and their daughters Virginia Priem, Barbara Kilcullen and Michele Cappello.

A visitation was set from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Christ the King Church, 200 Windsor Ave., Haddonfield, before a 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass there, with interment in Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill.

Donations may be sent to the St. John of God School for Special Children, 1145 Delsea Dr., Westville, N.J. 08093.

Condolences may be offered to the family at http://hinski-tomlinsonfuneralhome.com.