Major Richard LeCappelain, 91, was promoted to Glory Sept. 2, from Canton, Ohio.
LeCappelain was born Jan. 29, 1929, in North Bay, Ontario, Canada, to Edith (Saunders) and Samuel LeCappelain. He entered The Salvation Army Training College in Toronto with the Standard Bearers Session of 1949-50. His ministry in The Salvation Army included appointments in both Canada and the United States—Eastern and Western territories—working in corps ministry, finance administration and adult rehabilitation.
In the Western Territory, LeCappelain served at the Santa Ana (California) Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) as trainee and Assistant Administrator from 1978–1980, when he became Administrator at the Pasadena (California) ARC, serving there for three years. He then served as Administrator at the Van Nuys (California) ARC from 1983–1985; the Seattle ARC from 1985–1989; the Phoenix ARC from 1989–1991; and the Los Angeles ARC from 1991–1994. Besides his family and his Salvation Army ministry, the great passions of his life were history, travel and genealogy.
LeCappelain is survived by his wife Jean (Quinn), the love of his life, to whom he was married 67 years, and by his sister Dorothy Snodden. He is also survived by his five children: Elizabeth (Bradley) Beach, Linda (James) Wood, Mark LeCappelain, Kenneth LeCappelain, Sandra (Les) Vary; 14 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Memorial gifts can be designated “The Weekenders” and sent to The Salvation Army of Canton, Ohio. In conjunction with the local food bank and two local schools, The Salvation Army provides hungry children with weekend meals and snacks. LeCappelain’s experience with food insecurity during the Great Depression made him sensitive to the food needs of young children. He had a special place in his heart for the children of the Canton Corps.