Calvin Kapp's Obituary
Calvin Kapp, a long-time South Florida resident, has passed away at the age of 86 on December 5, 2020. Calvin was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1934 and moved to Miami Beach in the late 1940s where he eventually met his loving wife, Sandy (Sondra Deutsch).
Calvin, also known as, Cal, Kappy, Grampa, Zaydie and the Zade, among others, was a lot of things to a lot of people. A wonderful son, husband, father, in-law, grandfather, uncle, cousin, mentor, friend, and Canes fan to name just a few.
Cal was the owner of Kappy’s Jewelry (along with his brother-in-law) which was a successful jewelry business and s a local institution with stores in Miami Beach and Surfside (and which continues to be operated in Wellington, Florida by his nephew). In Cal’s later years, he had a successful second career providing jewelers, fine arts, and antiques insurance to many of the clients he did business with at Kappy’s.
Cal was a graduate of Beach High in Miami Beach and the University of Miami (Business Major). He was also a veteran who served his country proudly as a member of the United States Air Force. He always had a great affection for his many childhood friends, never missing a high school reunion or classmate get-together. Cal was also a big sports fan and loved attending UM football and basketball games as well as Marlins and Dolphins games. Of all his sports interests, he was first a Cane. His detailed knowledge of sports statistics always amazed people.
For Cal, family always came first. He had a lifelong love affair and marriage with his wife Sandy and together they created a large and loving family of five children: Stuart (Jennifer Gipson), Toby (Robert Bass), Daniel (Nicole Basile), Joseph (Carlos Gutierrez) and Sabina (Sarah Hutt) and their nine grandchildren: Jack Henry, Caroline, Andrew, Evan, Cate, Micah, Julius (JJ), Molly and Leah as well as his dog, Cody. Spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and other family was his greatest joy.
Cal’s definition of family was expansive and included devotion and affection for his in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, family friends, his kids’ friends, work colleagues, caretakers, and others. Cal considered them all family. The Kapp household was always filled with guests and visitors on holiday occasions and life’s special events.
Cal was also a mentor, from teaching his kids and neighbors’ kids to drive to instructing friends on strategic chess moves. He was always imparting various lessons and wisdom along the way. He always had a lesson to teach or a story to tell.
Cal passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family in a house full of love.
The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals and caretakers who cared for him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Calvin’s honor to either:
The Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center Auxiliary, Inc. or The University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center as follows:
By checks made payable to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center Auxiliary, Inc. to:
PBG Medical Center Auxiliary, Inc.
3360 Burns Road
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410
Online or by checks made payable to UM Sylvester Cancer Center and mailed to:
UM Sylvester Development Office
University of Miami
P.O. Box 016960 (M-867)
Miami, FL 33101
What’s your fondest memory of Calvin?
What’s a lesson you learned from Calvin?
Share a story where Calvin's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Calvin you’ll never forget.
How did Calvin make you smile?
