Vincent J. Capowski, beloved and highly respected professor emeritus of history at Saint Anselm College, died Wednesday, June 4, following a long illness.
Dr. Capowski, 77, of Moultonborough, taught at the college for more than 40 years, after e
arning his master’s and Ph.D. in American history from Fordham University in New York. He also served as assistant and associate dean of the college, the first person to work in the college’s academic administration who was not a member of the Benedictine community. In that office he began the summer school program, wrote the original faculty handbook, and wrote the curriculum for the Integrated Liberal Studies program. He taught for many years throughout New Hampshire in the Law Enforcement Education Program.
He also served as chair of Saint Anselm’s history department; he twice chaired the college’s reevaluation committee, and he was president of the American Association of University Professors.
Among his many civic activities, Dr. Capowski served on the board of directors of the NH Humanities Council, and was a charter member of the National Museum of the American Indian, the Manchester Historic Society, and the Moultonborough Historic Society.
"I count myself blessed that I took 'U.S. Presidency' with Vince as an elective when I was a senior, perhaps the course he was most famous for on the Hilltop," said Fr. Augustine Kelly, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. "He was a superb lecturer and an excellent teacher. As a leader in this academic community, administrator and faculty member, he made a lasting contribution to our culture of high academic standards."
He also served on the board of the Opera League of NH, and was a member of the Currier Art Museum, and a founding member of the Manchester NAACP. (Full obituary)
Calling hours will be Sunday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lambert Funeral Home &Crematory, 1799 Elm St. corner of North St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Monday at Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Community Health and Hospice, Inc. 780 North Main St., Laconia NH, 03246, or The Anderson Fund at Lakes Region General Hospital Oncology Department, 80 Highland St. Laconia, NH 03246, or Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Binney St. Boston MA, 02115, or NH Music Festival, Center Harbor, NH, 03226.