Brothers leaving today on flight

TRACY KENNEDY, Register Citizen Staff
June 16, 2001

TORRINGTON -- They've studied the maps and daily weather forecasts for all 50 states, and now they are ready.

"We're going to do it," said Ralph Capuano. "We are 99 percent sure." He and his brother, William, leave at 7 a.m. on a week-long flight where they will land their airplane in all of the 48 states. The journey is a once-in-a-lifetime personal challenge that also serves as a fundraiser for a 25-year-old New Britain mother of two that is suffering from acute myelogenous leukemia. They have no good luck charms to rub while they fly over the Rockies or the Grand Canyon, Capuano said, just the hopes that their journey will help Clarke and her family. In their 300-horsepower Cherokee they will touch down in some states only long enough to take a photograph or refuel, but in others, they plan to stay overnight. "Sure, I'm a little nervous," said Capuano. He has been observing some foul weather pockets in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that may force them to change their flight path. If all goes well today they will land in ten states before hitting the hay in Lambertville, Mich. The first leg includes: Pawtucket R.I.; Stow, Mass.; Eliot, Maine; Hillsboro, N.H.; Mt. Snow, Vt.; Kingston, N.Y.; Sussex, N.J.; Williamsport, Pa.; and Youngstown, Ohio. The brothers want to raise $48,000 to help defray the mounting medical bills incurred by Darlene Clark. They have been selling maps of their journey for $48 each. The pilots are covering the expenses of the flight themselves, which they estimate upwards of $8,000. "We just wanted to do something different," Capuano said. It isn't the first time, he has accepted a challenge. As a 14-year-old, Capuano was the youngest Eagle Scout in America and the first Eagle Scout in Harwinton. "We aren't crazy, but I admit it is off the wall, but we have thought a lot about it," he added. The brothers wanted to do something that was personally challenging but helped someone in need. Capuano, who is president of Capuano Buick, Cadillac, GMC in Torrington, met Clarke through his sales manager, Gary Jones. He told the brothers about how in March, his daughter had gone to the dentist complaining of loose teeth, and several days later was admitted for aggressive chemotherapy. "She is not doing very well right now," Capuano said. "But we are all pulling for her and her family." Posters are available at Capuano's car dealership at 790 Main St., Torrington. Checks should be made out to "Leukemia Fund Darlene Clarke". Posters are also available at the Cadillac Ranch on West Street in Southington. The fund is established at Fleet Bank, 643 Farmington Ave., New Britain.

©The Register Citizen 2001