Matthew Jude Capogrosso

It is with great sorrow that the Capogrosso, Montella, and McCabe-Elsea families announce the passing of our much-loved Matthew Jude Capogrosso on April 14, 2023.  Matt, or Cappy as he was affectionately known by friends, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family at the premature age of 44.

Matthew grew up in Netcong, NJ with his dad Carmine, his mom Audrey, and his sister Kristen.  He attended Lenape Valley Regional High School where he was known as both an incredible athlete and a gifted scholar.  He graduated from Muhlenberg College with his Bachelor’s degree and then went on to receive his Masters at Penn State University in Computer Science.  Matthew put those degrees to work, along with his knowledge and passion for football, and achieved his dream job working in the NFL. He spent fifteen years with the New York Jets and was the current Director of Football Systems. He grew to see the Jets as an extended part of his family, and his colleagues as his best friends and brothers. His love for the sport and the Jets will live on through all of them.

Outside of football, Matthew’s greatest joy came from his beautiful family.  He married his high school crush, Courtney, in 2009 and in 2012 they had their twins, Leighton and Jude. In 2019 they moved to their dream home in Chester, NJ where Matthew proudly coached Jude’s football team and made sure to wear a “Dance Dad” shirt at Leighton’s dance competitions.  Matthew was known for surprising his family with simple pleasures, such as making sure to get everyone’s favorite donut from the local donut shop while on vacation.  Or celebrating the small moments in life with a little bit of magic, such as surprise gifts for half-birthdays or making sure the Tooth Fairy always left more than just a few dollars.  A quiet man to many, except his sister who could consistently understand his mumbling, Matthew’s family will always remember the thoughtful conversations they had with him, his clever wit and teasing eyes, how he was born with an adorable smirk and never lost it, and how they could make tears stream down his face in laughter when they told him a good joke. 

Matthew continues to be loved by his wife Courtney (McCabe) Capogrosso, their daughter Leighton, and their son Jude; his parents Audrey (Giamarese) and Carmine Capogrosso; his sister Kristen (Capogrosso) Montella and her husband Fortunato and daughters Sofia and Matthew’s Goddaughter Francesca; his father in law Nial McCabe and his wife Linda; his sister-in-law Meredith McCabe and her husband Jarrett Elsea and daughters Reese and Piper; along with many extended cousins, family members, colleagues, and dear friends. Matthew is watching over and protecting his beautiful children alongside his grandparents Savina (Tampone) and Nicholas Capogrosso, Lena (Vesce) Giamarese Mognoni and Joseph Giamarese, and Charles Mognoni, as well as his faithful (if not peculiar) Scottish Terrier, Bentley.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life held at Leonardis Memorial Home, 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park on Sunday, May 7th, 2023 from 1:00-5:00p.m. The family asks that you wear Jets attire or Jets green to the service and that you bring a personal letter written to Leighton and Jude with special memories you have of Matthew so they can continue to know how loved he was by so many.

Memorial donations can be made in Matthew’s name to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, see donation box below for details….

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