Carol Joyce Decapio

Carol DeCapio, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2026, after a decade-long battle with dementia. She was 83 years old.

Carol was the daughter of Lewis and Dorothy Ginn. She grew up on the family farm in Mexico, NY, and, despite once earning the title of “Poultry Queen,” Carol was most certainly not a farm girl!

Carol was an honor student and graduated from Mexico Academy and Central School in 1961. In 1962, she married James DeCapio, her high school sweetheart and husband of 64 years. Together, they raised 2 children in Palermo, NY, and later became “snowbirds” residing both in Melbourne, FL, and in Fulton, NY.

Carol was bright and energetic. She had many hobbies throughout her life, which included downhill skiing, golfing, and riding her motorcycle. Carol had a beautiful voice and could turn a car ride or any other idle time into a wonderful singalong. Carol also loved animals. She always had furry friends by her side and fostered homeless kittens awaiting adoption. Aside from her family, Carol’s great love was the theater. She began her acting career in high school, performing in the 1960 Senior Play “Mad Money.” In 1970, she performed the leading role in the Oswego Players production of “The Star Spangled Girl” and went on to become an active member of the Players organization for years to come. There, she was surrounded by “her people” and made life-long friends. Between 1970 and 1992, she performed in at least 19 Players productions. After taking her final bow as an actress, Carol began directing shows. She was director of “The Odd Couple” and “Tight Spot,” and co-director of “The Last Night of Ballyhoo.”

Carol enjoyed her professional career and worked right up until she recognized the signs of dementia. She had great aptitude and was well-loved by colleagues wherever she worked. In the 1970s, she worked as secretary to the professional staff of the Speech & Theater Department at SUNY Oswego and even performed in the 1974 SUNY Oswego performance of “Company.” Being surrounded by talented professors, set and costume designers, and theater students gave Carol great joy and more life-long friends. Carol later accepted a position at Alcan in Oswego, where she enjoyed both the work and the people. When she and Jim began to head south each winter, she found positions that could accommodate that schedule and particularly enjoyed working at the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne.

Carol was a devoted mother and grandmother. Every year, she braved the cold to spend a long Christmas holiday with her grandchildren. It wasn’t Christmas until Nana Carol arrived! One Christmas, Carol joined her daughter’s family on a trip to Germany and Italy. It was a magical trip for all! Carol also braved the crowded theme parks and the New York State Fair on many occasions so that she could share in the joy and make family memories. It was a special treat when one of the grandchildren got to spend a week by themselves in Fulton or Melbourne at “Camp Nana Carol and Mantee Jim.”

Carol is survived by her husband, James DeCapio of Melbourne, FL, her son and daughter-in-law Tim and Sandy DeCapio of Croydon, PA, her daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Peter Alfano of Groton, MA, her grandchildren: Lewis Alfano, Lily Baker, Olivia Alfano, and Liam DeCapio, and her great-grandchildren Luca Alfano, Ava Alfano, and Brady Baker. She is also survived by her siblings Bob Ginn of Charlotte, NC, Richard Ginn of Williamstown, NY, Marlene Klebs of Richland, NY, and Ronald Ginn of Fries, VA.

A memorial service is planned for the summer of 2027.