On Monday, Congresswoman Grace Meng announced that longtime staffer and Queensboro Hill civic leader Don Capalbi passed away. He was 73 years old.
Capalbi died at a local hospice facility after being hospitalized at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Last month, he sustained a head injury from a fall.
The civic leader served as a community liaison to Meng going back to her days as a member of the Assembly. He represented her at community board and other local meetings.
Capalbi grew up in Astoria and lived in Flushing.
“A member of our family has passed away and we are devastated by this terrible loss,” Meng said in a statement. “Don worked tirelessly for the people of our congressional district. He was an invaluable part of my team providing me with information and advice about community issues.”
“He was a great human being; a wonderful and special person who was selfless and full of life, and one of the kindest, friendliest and gentlest people I’ve ever known,” she added. “He touched and impacted so many lives and was loved, admired and respected by all with whom he worked.”
Rest in peace, Don.