ROBERT KAPUSTA
July 1, 1931 – October 29, 2019
With sadness and a profound sense of loss it is our duty to announce the passing of Robert Kapusta.
Bob served consecutive terms as President of the Chamber when his elected successor, Edward Meinket passed prematurely. In memory of Ed, Bob founded the Meinket Scholarship Fund, overseeing drafting the Fund’s By-Laws.
For 30 years, he personally sponsored the Summer Concert Series in furtherance of his love for music, first given life as a saxophonist in a dance band.
Bob was born in Ansonia, went to high school at Fairfield Prep, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics at UCONN and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law School.
He was a Congressional Aide from 1955-1957.
He served in the Air Force JAG, 6900th Security Wing retiring as a Major.
After the service, he returned to the Valley practicing law with Bill Bennett. In 1963, he opened the firm’s Milford office at 75 Broad Street.
Bob was Seymour Democratic Chair from 1960-1962.
Upon moving to Milford in 1963, Bob was a City Attorney from 1963 through 1969.In the City Attorney’s office, during the administration of Alan Jepson, Bob took on an activist role.
On North Street, Bob negotiated the purchase of 126 acres from the Asgrow Seed Company which became, Eisenhower Park.
Jepson’s administration purchased an additional 9 acres of land for recreational purposes from United Illuminating, engineered a federal open space grant by which 26 acres of land was purchased for Foran High School, purchased from Reliable Steel Drum Company property on Ford Street, moving and consolidating the Public Works Department there. Bob negotiated and closed all these transactions.
What is now the Chamber of Commerce offices was the Taylor Library. The building was held by the Taylor Family Trust which limited the use of the facility as a library. Bob Kapusta drafted a statute abolishing the trust. The property then reverted to the city.
As Chair of the Milford Redevelopment Agency
Wildemere Beach and Walnut Beach were combined with a large parking lot built to service the park,
Silver Sands beach was cleared and cleaned and the access road was approved and built, Heritage Sound and Senior Housing were constructed. Roads were widened and large swaths of open space dedicated Bob negotiated the easements, conveyances and deed restrictions.
Bob was recognized by his fellow city attorneys when he was chosen President of the Connecticut Association of Municipal Attorneys.
Professionally, Bob has been a member and officer in numerous the important legal organizations.
As for his community service, he was President of the Milford Lions Club, two term President of the Milford Chamber of Commerce, President of Milford Progress, Inc. and Chair of the Economic Development, created Milford Progress, Inc., then served as President and administered federal block grant funds to rehabilitate Downtown Milford.
The Connecticut Legal Assistance Association (Legal Aid) recognized his many years as Director and a life of volunteering for the unrepresented by recognizing him for lifelong Pro Bon Service.
Robert Kapusta will be missed by the community he so loved.
Bob was predeceased by his wife, Catherine (Reidy) Kapusta. He is survived by children, Robert, Jr. and wife, Kathy, Caroline Sikorske and husband, Jeff, Mark Kapusta and wife, Rhonda, Kevin Kapusta and wife, Patricia. He is memorably survived by 11 grandchildren, Will, Carson, Brett, Julia, Kara, Delaney, Annelise, Abigail, Katelyn, Alexandria and Caden.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at Smith Funeral Home from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. A brief commemorative service will follow at the funeral home at 5:30 pm. Friends wishing to pay respects are welcome.
Learn more about the services on Smith Funeral Home website here.