My parents were worried when Dr. and Mrs. Capers moved in next door; the house they built was shaped like an ark. “Do they know something we don’t?” Mom wondered.
The Capers helped me grow up (sorta like in loco grandparentis) and they showed an awful lot of kindness to my mom after Dad left. Dr. Augustus T. Capers died on Thursday, at the age of 87, after a full life.
Update:
I went to the funeral today in Paterson. The program included the following:
Reflections of Life
Augustus Theodore Capers was born on September 30, 1918 in Charleston, SC, the son of Wade and Anna Morris Simmons. When he was a young child, his mother died and he was raised by his great aunt, Florence Capers, and her husband. They moved to Paterson, NJ with Augustus at the age of 5 years. On Thursday, August 24, 2006 at 6:45 a.m., he entered into eternal rest while watching the sun rise.
In 1943, he graduated from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He received his Doctor of Dentistry from the Dental College of Howard University in 1947 and achieved further distinction with the highest score on the NJ Dental Examination in 1948. This began his dental career in Paterson, which extended over 50 years. During the Korean War he served as a captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps and was honorably discharged.
Dr. Capers and his wife Gertrude were champions of civil rights. They founded the first black democratic club in the city of Paterson. Both served the community by advancing equality in housing and employment opportunities within the City Administration, the Board of Education and the Police Department of Paterson. Dr. Capers was appointed as the first black dentist to serve on the dental staff of the Paterson school system by the mayor. In 1968, Vice President Hubert Humphrey sent congratulatory greetings as Dr. Capers was the first black State Assemblymen elected by the citizens of Passaic County, District 14-B, who elected him to a second term. During this same year, he was elected to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the Paterson Boy’s Club. Dr. Capers was honored by the Bergen-Passaic Howard University Alumni Club and his fellow Paterson Kiwanis Club members for his commitment to community service, consumer advocacy, justice and equality.
His ties to the Paterson community remained strong in his twilight years when Dr. Capers and Gertrude retired to Ringwood, NJ. Both he and his wife, a published author, were honored by the Paterson Public Library. Her poignant memoir, “A Scent from the Blue Ridge,” (under the pen name Trudi Capers) serves as a tribute to her husband’s accomplishments and a reflection of the history and the genesis of the civil rights movement in the City of Paterson, while tracing her family’s roots from slave and American Indian ancestry. In September 2002, Dr. Capers and Gertrude celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved wife, Gertrude Stanton Capers; three children, artist Selena James, Superior Court Judge Michelle Hollar-Gregory, and financial consultant Augustus T. Capers, Jr.; as well as three grandchildren, Dr. Robert A. James, Jr., and Ryan and Kyle Hollar-Gregory; sons-in-law Robert A. James, Sr. and Milton R. Hollar-Gregory, esq.; nieces Betty and Virginia; nephews Vreeland and Melville; and many cousins, other family members and friends.
even though I told Gus that I was worried that they were building an ark (a la Noah) I was still reassured that our house was on slightly higher ground, so maybe they would pick us up on the way out of Ringwood when the floods came – what a special man he was! – and how he’ll be missed – I sent Gertrude a message today via the Guest Book on the funeral website, and notice that Boaz had sent an insertion to the book earlier – I have a picture of Gus, Gertrude and myself, taken at Fred K’s surprise 70th, which I shall treasure –
My son just discovered this site and send it to me. He said he just had a dream recently about his grandfather. (smile)
Your comments shall be a treasure to my family and I shall certainly share this with my mother Gertrude and my brother Gus. We miss dad every day and to know that he has been remembered fondly by others
Thanks so much for your special sentiments.
God Bless
Superior Court Judge Michelle Hollar-Gregory was my first English teacher at Arts High School, Newark, New Jersey.
I plan to attend Alumni Day at Arts High this year (my 30th high school reunion). Please forward my e-mail to Judge Michelle Hollar-Gregory. She is my mentor and I would love to see her this year.
Thank you.
Professor Deborah D. Shuford
P. S. I am truly sorry to hear that Dr. Capers died last year.
My family and I recently discovered this site and the warm and generous sentiments expressed.
I told my mother and she was pleased and would love to see the photo taken at Fred’s 70th. Please send a coy to her, it would be greatly appreciated. At 89 years young her memories are a treasure!
Deborah great seeing you, hp all is well.
With gratitude thanks to all,
Michelle & family
I’ve often thought of Dr. Capers over the years. I used to live on East 25th Street in Paterson and found his office during a walk. I thought of him today because tomorrow for the second time in my life, I’m having my second tooth extracted (the first was in 1969 when I was pregnant with my daughter and Dr. Capers teased me about having strong teeth and he wouldn’t dare attempt to do an extraction in his office ). He knew that my hospital was Columbia Presbyterian in New York City and made arrangements to have the tooth extracted there. I always remembered that he told me that if there ever came a time for two teeth to be extracted, NEVER have them extracted at the same time. This thought always stuck with me and I passed this information on to everybody (willing or not to listen to it).
God Rest His Soul!
Rose Mitchell
Rose,
This is so special and our family really appreciate the warm thoughts. He forever remains in our hearts.My son just discovered this site and send it to me. He said he just had a dream recently about his grandfather. (smile)
Your comments shall be a treasure to my family and I shall certainly share this with my mother Gertrude and my brother Gus. We miss dad every day and to know that he has been remembered fondly by others
Thanks so much for your special sentiments.
God Bless
I grew up in Paterson on East 25th street and was friend to Selena . I was also a patient of Dr Capers during my childhood. Wonderful family..my memories have faded but one thing stands out..I had a doll that I named Michelle..after Selena sister. I also remember Selena’s mother as being a very beautiful woman and so kind to me. Ofcourse Dr Capers was the best and my entire family was under his care until we moved away in 1959.
Mary, do you remember me? We were friends and classmates at PS 13, then reconnected briefly in our late teens when I visited you and the family in Deal. Please be in touch again. I’ve wondered how you were doing all these years.
I’m in Baltimore now, working at Johns Hopkins Univ for the last 31 years. Divorced. Life is good. Hope to hear from you. Best, Sue
ofcourse I remember you..I have lots of memories of you and your beautiful mother..and digging for bones across the street from your house..lol..and praying on those dumb prayer rugs to Mecca..you were certainly and interesting kid..smart as a wip and I am sure doing something interesting as an adult. I too am divorced although I have been living with a great guy for 30 years. I have one son age 38yr and two beautiful grandchildren. I live at the jersey shore in Wall, and spend my leisure time golfing,photography and watching the grandchildren. Funny, I don’t remember you visiting in Deal? My family has dwindle to just me and my sister Joan who is 83 years young! My email is marypar4@aol.com keep in touch..perhaps our paths my cross one day..I would like that. Mary
I had no idea that Dr. Capers passed…when I found out today I called Mrs. Capers to express my condolences. She’ll be 97 in March and still remembered that we lived on E.26th Street, that my Dad had his machining company on 10th and 19th, that my sister worked summers for Dr. Capers, and so much more. The Capers Family has a special place in our hearts… my parents, siblings, and I are so blessed that we were able to share some time on this planet with such an extraordinary family.