Msgr. William J. Capik, a retired priest of the Diocese, died Jan. 27 at Incarnate Word Village, San Antonio, Texas. He was 94.
Msgr. Capik was born in Perth Amboy and attended St. Charles High School Seminary, Catonsville, Md., and St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, Md. He also held a Master of Science degree in school administration from Fordham University, N.Y., and served in Catholic education in the Dioceses of Trenton and Metuchen for more than 15 years as a teacher and as an administrator.
He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Trenton on June 4, 1955, in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, Trenton. He served in St. Ann Parish, Hampton, and St. Anthony Parish, Hightstown, before serving as athletic director of Notre Dame High School, Trenton, then principal of Holy Cross High School, Delran.
Msgr. Capik served as pastor in St. Michael Parish, Trenton, and St. Peter’s Parish, New Brunswick, before becoming pastor of St. James Parish, Basking Ridge, in 1981, just before the Diocese of Metuchen was created.
In April 1979, Msgr. Capik was named a Prelate of Honor of His Holiness the Pope. Among his various diocesan responsibilities, he served as the first vicar for education for the Diocese of Metuchen from 1981 to 1985, as well as serving on the diocesan Council for Financial Affairs, and as vicar for Charities and Social Ministry. Msgr. Capik also served as a mentor to first-time pastors.
For some 27 years, Msgr. Capik served on numerous boards of St. Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, including 18 years as chairman of the Board of Directors.
During his tenure as St. James pastor, the parish grew from 800 to 3400 families. Msgr. Capik oversaw the addition of a gymnasium to St. James School and the construction of a new church. He was also instrumental in the establishment of a group home for developmentally disabled adults adjacent to the church property.
Monsignor Capik retired in June 2005, after 24 years of service to St. James Parish.
In retirement, he regularly assisted parishes by being available for Masses and Confessions, including for the Sisters of Mercy at McAuley Hall HealthCare Center, Watchung.
In addition to his love for serving Jesus and the Church, he was also an avid golfer, reader, and loved spending time with family and friends.
Msgr. Capik was predeceased by his parents, John Capik and Anna Capik, and his sister-in-law Virginia Capik. He is survived by his brother Richard Capik; his niece Tracy Gregory (Larry Gregory); his great-nieces and great-nephews, William, Margo, Andrew and Elaine; his niece Susan Deming (Tom Deming), and his great-nieces and great-nephews, Courtney, Meg and Sam.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 5 in St. James Church, Basking Ridge, followed by a private burial.
At the request of the family, memorial contributions may be to the Diocese of Metuchen - Seminarian Education Fund at https://diometuchen.org, or The Center for Great Expectations at https://www.cge-nj.org.
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The Center for Great Expectations remembers Msgr. William J. Capik
The Center for Great Expectations (CGE) is filled with a deep sense of sorrow over the passing of Reverend Monsignor William J. Capik on Jan. 27, 2024. We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and all the members of the CGE community who knew and loved him.
Monsignor Capik was an integral part of CGE for nearly 20 years, joining the Board of Trustees in 2006, and serving as Chairman from 2010-2014. In that role, he conducted meetings with both decisiveness and compassion, always keeping the mothers and babies of CGE at the center of his insights and advice. Monsignor was an energetic, faith-filled individual, enjoying relationships with countless individuals who called on him to officiate at a family wedding, conduct a funeral for a loved one, or join in a celebration, long into his “retirement.”
“As the former Chairman of the Board of the Center for Great Expectations, Monsignor’s compassion, business sense, and love of mission had a tremendous impact on the trajectory of our growth and our ability to significantly increase the numbers of women and children we served. I know we have another angel rooting for us!” – Peg Wright, CGE Founder/CEO
Monsignor made time to encourage anyone who needed him, but he was never one to waste a moment. He was clear and strong in his decisions, crisp in his delivery of an inspirational homily, and always ready for a quick round of golf. He was a beloved figure at CGE’s annual Ken Daneyko golf classic.
We are grateful that the family has included the Center for Great Expectations among the organizations for memorial contributions: https//www.cge-nj.org/support-us/donate-now/