Giovanni Matteo Capelo Obituary (1976 - 2022)

Grammy award winning musician, Giovanni M. Capelo, passed away on January 4, 2022 at the age of 45 after a courageous battle with cancer. While attending elementary school in Galveston, Texas, Giovanni began playing drums in the school band and truly fell in love with music. That love turned into a lifetime spent as a professional drummer, percussionist, singer, songwriter, and music teacher. It was in teaching and mentoring students that Giovanni's second calling became ever so clear. Motivated by the continued success of his kids, he challenged them to set the bar high, realize their goals, and inspired them to believe in themselves as much as he believed in each and every one of them. Giovanni traveled the United States for years touring with various other musicians, as well as studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and was quite the chef. He loved hosting friends and family for dinner and worked tirelessly to perfect a Neopolitan style pizza that he was proud of. It is said that fortune favors the brave and that was certainly true for Giovanni. He pursued his passion for music, fell in love and married a beautiful woman, had a son that his whole heart belonged to, and spent some of the greatest times of his life looking out over a crowd from his drum riser. His students and loved ones will continue to honor his legacy by following his lead and living their lives to the fullest. Giovanni was preceded in death by his mother, June Pennington. He is survived by his son, Davinci Capelo; his father, Trinidad F. Capelo; a brother, Alano Capelo; a sister, Jennifer Capelo; nieces Daviana, Runa, and Juniper; nephews Corey and Gianni. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to savethemusic.org in Giovanni's name.