Charlie Capalbo Cause Of Death, Obituary Unavailable Yet – Charlie Capalbo, a Fairfield resident whose repeated cancer battles inspired the town as well as the hockey world at large, died on Sunday. He was 23 years old at the time.
According to ctinsider.com, Rebecca Jarit, Capalbo’s aunt, announced the news on Facebook. John McCormick, a family acquaintance, confirmed the news. McCormick planned a welcome home procession in December and a GoFundMe website that has raised over $500,000 since 2017.
“Charlie Capalbo, a 23-year-old former standout Fairfield CT hockey goalie, has been diagnosed with cancer for the 4th time. After beating lymphoma once and leukemia twice, Charlie is now preparing to face off with leukemia for a 3rd time, his 4th cancer battle in 5 years. This battle will include incredibly expensive experimental treatments / immunotherapies.”
“Let’s just say that one got by Charlie in the fourth overtime tonight after five years and 745 nights spent in hospitals,” Jarit wrote in her post. He died exactly one month before his 24th birthday, at 3:00 p.m.
The battles of Capalbo garnered national attention. NBC Sports produced a segment on the family as part of their Hockey Day In America broadcast in February 2019 when his brother, Will, was his bone-marrow donor during the second battle. NHL players and coaches, as well as other professional sportsmen, were among those who paid visits or sent messages.
A GoFundMe Page has been set up by John McCormick to aid in this time of hardship. Please donate to share words of encouragement.