ALBANY – David A. Caprood, 52, of Albany, died Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Troy. Dave was born and raised in Albany and was a graduate of Albany High School, the Junior College of Albany (JCA), and the State University of New York at Albany. He pursued his love for basketball while playing for Albany High and JCA. Dave loved the great outdoors from bike riding with his family in Virginia to fly fishing with his brother in New York. He was first employed by Caldor Inc.as Store Manager in Albany before relocating to Virginia where he continued his retail management career for 25 years. While in Virginia Dave held multiple retail management positions which included the Office Warehouse in Virginia Beach, The Sports Authority Store in Norfolk, and the McDonald Garden Center in Virginia Beach. After returning to Albany in February 2011, he was employed as Store Manager of Garden Time Garden Center in Queensbury NY.
Dave was predeceased by his parents Philip and Shirley Swart Caprood , and by his sister Barbara A. Wood. He is survived by his fiancé Jerry Cheruka of Norfolk, VA; his daughter Lauren Cheruka of Norfolk, VA; siblings Beth Hunter (Donald) of Bolingbrook, IL, Philip Caprood (Karen Susan) of Colonie, and Christine Chavez (Raul) of Willits, CA; his brother in law David H. Wemple of Albany; his aunts Linda Zampier (John) of Westmere, and Beth Trimble of Suffolk, VA; and several nieces, nephews, and great niece and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, NY, Saturday, March 16th, at 1:00pm. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home beginning at 12 noon. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Albany, NY 12211. To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
John Dobiel
Dear Caprood Family: Please accept my deepest condolence on your loss. I have not seen Dave in many,many years but remember him as an upbeat and friendly guy. The girls all liked him. We worked together at Caldor and Dave was a co-worker and a boss. He was also a friend to me when I was difficult. I hope Dave’s life was a happy one because he deserved the cheer he gave. Enjoy your rest , my friend, and then enjoy your happiness where ever you may be. To those who are left behind:” Do not cry because it is over; laugh because it happened”
Fred Troelstra
My condolences to family and friends on the loss of David. He will be greatly missed by all at Garden Time. For those who knew him, he was an outstanding man. And for those who didn’t, he was the kind of person you wished you got to know. David, God gave you your body for your time on this earth, but your spirit will live on for eternity.
Clay Ray West (Virginia Beach.Va.)
Rest in peace Dave. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Bill W. Bussey
I first met David in April 1997 when I joined Caldor as a RVP reponsible for the Fairfield & Westchester Caldor stores. As I toured the stores for the first time, I found them to be a disaster. Luckily I found David working as an assistant store manager in one of the stores. His store manager had called in sick, fearful of the store tour results. David worked a crew all night, and when I entered his store, I knew he was a winner. Every store executive, except David had a give-up attitude because of the tough labor market in those two counties.
Not David — I will never forget David’s answer when I ask him “What is the difference between his store and the other stores?” His answer was ‘David Caprood’. I agreed! David was promoted the next day to store manager of the most difficult store in Fairfield County. Within a few months he developed new standards which established performance bar for the remaining stores in both counties..
After I left Caldor for Virginia Beach to start a new company, I called David and told him “I needed a ‘standard sitter’ to open the first store who would continue to set the store standards throughout my new company.” David’s response was “When can I report?” David joined, and established the store standards and was promoted to the first District Manager of the Company.
Two years ago, I offered him a position with my international team. His response was he wanted to go back home for a while. I understood his comment, and told him, call me if you ever get bored.
David was only one of two executives that I have brought along with me from one company to the next. It was simply because David was an independent thinker, quick learner and a great leader in the field. I’m sure he will find a way to serve in a similar fashion in his new home. GOD BLESS you David!!!!
Patricia (Smith) Fox
I worked with Dave at the Schenectady, NY Caldor. He was always in a good mood, great guy to work for! Funny how I forgot until now how he had a white Honda CRX and i thought that was the coolest car! My deepest sympathies go out to his family.
Greg Whitley Jr
I was very saddened to hear of Dave’s recent passing. I worked for Mr. Caprood back in 1988/89 during the grand opening of the Office Warehouse (OW) in Virginia Beach. In fact, we were both part of the “talent” that appeared on the cover of the very first OW catalog, which I proudly have framed and hanging at home. (If interested, email me and I will be happy to scan and send a copy gwhitleyjr@cox.net ) I remember when our weekly work schedule was posted, us cashiers and floor workers were just as happy to see we were working for Dave during a certain shift as we were to see that we had a Friday or Saturday night off—a huge compliment when managing a bunch of 17-20 year-olds.
His skill for motivating people to work hard and remain professional was made possible through his mutual respect and kindness towards all people, his natural sense of humor, and because he “walked the talk” and modeled the behaviors he expected of his employees—all things that I have tried to do throughout my career and life in general. For that I am eternally grateful to Dave for being a positive role model at a time in my life when I probably needed it most both personally and professionally.
I hope it brings comfort to those nearest and dearest to him knowing he had such a positive impact on a complete stranger’s life and I am absolutely certain there are numerous others like me out there who would share these sentiments. Thank you Dave and may God Bless.
Larry Cesare
My deepest condolences to the Caprood family. Sorry I’ll be out of town Saturday Phil.
I feel like I lost a brother… Dave was always the friendliest guy you could imagine. He would give you the shirt off his back. I grew up with him, and I still can’t recall any negative words coming out of his mouth. As a kid, I would bully him on the basketball court as I am a few years older than Dave. But then when he sprouted up, he put me in place, but always with a smile. He could play.
I’m so glad he came back home. It was a long time since I saw him. I will never ever forget all the fun we had. Mr and Mrs Caprood treated me like family…
Rest in peace my brother. We all love you and deeply miss you.. We will see you again. Watch over us until then.
David Fischer
I knew David from elementary school at PS 27. I remember him as the kind of guy everybody liked and it was it was evident why. I had heard he was back in town and thought of saying hello if I passed his house. I wish I had. My sympathy to his family.