Medical Examiner: Park Worker Died of Natural Causes

Funeral set for Richard Capper of Haverstraw

BY BILL DEMAREST

HAVERSTRAW – The Rockland County Medical Examiner’s Office has concluded that a Palisades Interstate Parks Commission worker, who was a longtime Haverstraw Ambulance Corps volunteer, died of natural causes.

Laura Carbone, Rockland’s chief medical examiner said Richard Capper, 49, of Haverstraw, did not sustain any significant bodily injuries. Capper was found unconscious in a state park plow truck at the Silver Mine Lake parking lot in Harriman State Park, where he was plowing snow as part of his duties.

Capper was pulled from the truck just before it burst into flames. He was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, where he died.

No one was injured in the fire and the incident is under investigation by the New York State Park Police.

Capper was a Haverstraw resident and a volunteer for 20 years at Haverstraw Ambulance Corps, of which he was a life-member. His death stunned the community and members of Rockland County’s emergency medical service community.

Funeral arrangements have been set for Capper. Visitation will be held on Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, from 5-9 p.m. at the George M. Holt Funeral Home, 50 New Main St., Haverstraw, NY 10927.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 at St. Peters Church, 115 Broadway, Haverstraw, NY. Interment will follow at Mt. Repose Cemetery, Route 9W and Route 202, Haverstraw, NY.

Republished with permission