Italo Cappabianca

Italo S. Cappabianca was a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Italo S. Cappabianca
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 2nd district
In office
January 2, 1979 – May 28, 2001
Preceded byRobert E. Bellomini
Succeeded byGayle Wright
Personal details
BornDecember 19, 1936
Erie, Pennsylvania
DiedMay 28, 2001(2001-05-28) (aged 64)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLinda Lou
Alma materGannon University

He graduated from Strong Vincent High School in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1955 and earned a degree in political science from Gannon University in 1968.[1] He was elected to represent the 2nd legislative district in 1978, following the resignation of Robert E. Bellomini. He married his wife Linda Lou Cappabianca late in life, and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with two fellow legislators, Bill DeWeese and Frank Serafini.[2]

He was diagnosed with brain cancer in the summer of 1999 and underwent an experimental gene therapy treatment at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.[3] He died on May 28, 2001.[4][5] Gannon University offers the "Italo S. Cappabianca Scholarship," an endowed scholarship in his name.[6]

Linda Cappabianca lost the endorsement of the local Democratic committee to succeed her husband, losing to her former friend Gayle Wright. Mrs. Cappabianca explained that "[Wright] really didn't call me and discuss what she was going to do."[7] She decided against mounting a formal write-in campaign, citing time constraints, but encouraged voters to write her in as an independent candidate.[8] Wright won the August 14 contest with 48.2% of the vote, with Cappabianca placing a strong second place with 39.1%.[9]

References
  1. "Italo S. Cappabianca (Democrat)". Official Pennsylvania House of Representatives Profile. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 2000-06-08.
  2. "Pressure builds on Rep. Frank Serafini to resign". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 19, 1999.
  3. Snowbeck, Christopher (2000-08-07). "Gene therapy gives hope to brain patient". Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
  4. Cox, Harold (November 3, 2004). "Pennsylvania House of Representatives - 2001–2002" (PDF). Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
  5. "Cappabianca, Italo S. (1936-2001)". The Political Graveyard. Lawrence Kestenbaum.
  6. "Endowed Scholarships". Gannon University.
  7. "North Briefs: 7/25/01". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. 2001-07-25.
  8. "North Briefs: 8/5/01". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. 2001-08-05.
  9. "2001 Special Election for the 2nd Legislative District". Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information. Pennsylvania Department of State. 2004. Archived from the original on 2008-11-28.
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