Obituary of Sandra R. Capitani

Sandra R. "Sandi" Capitani A memorial visitation for Sandra R. Capitani will be held this Saturday (March 25, 2023) at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean from 11am until time of services at 1pm. The service will be livestreamed beginning at 1pm at the following link: http://buffalomedia.net/03252023. OLEAN --- Sandra R. Capitani, 66, of Wayman Branch Rd., passed away Tuesday (February 28, 2023) at the Olean General Hospital after a lengthy illness. Born January 12, 1957 in Olean, she was the daughter of Donald and Florence Katz Capitani, who predeceased her. Sandi was a 1975 graduate of Olean High School and later graduated from the police academy at Jamestown Community College in Jamestown. She began working for the City of Olean Police Department and was proudly the department’s first female officer. After serving there from 1980 to 1982, she moved to Melbourne, Florida and worked for its police department from 1982 until 1988. She then worked as a senior investigator at Brevard Police Testing Center at Brevard Community College in Melbourne until her early retirement in 2002 due to medical reasons. During this time, Sandi completed a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida in 1992. Her career in law enforcement was a satisfying journey for her and she was well respected by all whom she worked with, including her time in Olean. She was also a highly regarded professional in the eyes of State Police, local municipal administrators, and Sheriff’s departments all along the East Coast of Florida. She returned to Olean in 2017 and continued to enjoy friendships with her close friends at home. To her family and friends, Sandi showed a strength of spirit that few possess. She had a keen sense of humor, loved animals and was a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. She leaves behind a brother, Jeff (Teresa) Capitani of Olean; four nieces and nephews, Stephen Capitani, John Capitani, Salvatore Capitani, and Francesca Capitani; four stepbrothers and a stepsister, Jeffrey Kranock, Christopher (Heather) Kranock, Jonathan (Erik) Kranock, and Mari (William) Howard; a sister-in-law Patricia Capitani, and several cousins. She was predeceased by a brother Mark Capitani in 2017, a stepmother Dianne Capitani in 2013, and a lifelong friend who was like a second mother, Reba Fonzi in 2022. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday (March 25, 2023) from 11am until 1pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean. A service will begin at 1pm in the funeral home. Deacon Matt Wenke will officiate. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Olean Police Dempsey Club, PO Box 131, Olean, NY 14760, or to Empire Animal Rescue Society (EARS), Clinton St., Salamanca, NY 14779.