Love saves: Riverdale couple find each other, marriage at Hebrew Home

Albert Capiello, 76,  and Elizabeth Bly, 51,  who live in RiverSpring’s Hebrew Home, exchanged vows July 10 after a two-year relationship. 

It is the first wedding for both. 

Surrounded by 100 people — including other residents, nurses, staff and loved ones — Capiello and Bly celebrated their commitment. Capiello proposed a year ago on Bly’s birthday. 

Bly walked down the aisle — dressed in a purple, lace gown and a matching tiara — to a rendition of “At Last” by Etta James, performed by RiverSpring’s occupational therapist Jennifer Olegario. 

Bly’s son, Sean Dipuglia, was by her side, holding a white bouquet. 

Capiello and Bly sat hand-in-hand while Reverend Gershwin Grant officiated the ceremony. When the couple rose to exchange rings, Bly stumbled over her words. 

“Don’t be nervous,” Capiello told her. 

They wrapped their arms around each other during their first kiss as a unified couple, before walking up the aisle, both led by wheeled walkers. 

In the front row was Bly’s maid of honor, Pat Tillem. She met Bly on the first floor of the nursing home a year ago. “I wish them lots of love,” she said about Capiello and Bly. 

Bly told The Press what she admired most about Capiello. 

“[I love] his sense of humor, the way he talks to me is very sweet and passionate — he’s Italian!” she said. 

For Capiello, his romantic love for Bly was built on a foundation of trust. 

“She’s beautiful on the outside, and very beautiful on the inside,” Capiello said. “She’s not only loving, she’s my best friend.” 

Capiello met Bly when she became a rehabilitation resident at the home. 

“I remember [Capiello] telling me, ‘I met this woman in the home and she just knocked me off my feet,’” Capiello’s best man, Jeff Hyman — his friend of 35 years — said. “And then I met Elizabeth, and I saw why.” 

Josephine Catalano, assistant vice president of resident engagement and spiritual health at RiverSpring, said planning the wedding required coordination among several departments. 

“Our older adults — don’t count them out,” Catalano said. “There’s so much more love in their lives, and so much more joy to celebrate. This day really shows us that.” 

Arnold Cohn, a resident at RiverSpring and close friend of Capiello, wished the couple nothing but the best.

“They’re always laughing, they just click together,” he said. “I’m so happy for the two of them.” 

Cheryl Ealey, a friend of the couple, admired what Capiello and Bly have with each other.

“They really care for each other deeply,” she said. “They’re both very kind, compassionate people. It’s really lovely to see them come together like this.” 

Reverend Grant told The Press the ceremony was the first at RiverSpring. 

“When you look at the people who have gathered here, you’ve got people who live together and have watched this entire relationship grow,” he said. “We’ve been friends with them, we’ve consoled them, we’ve taught them, everyone here.” 

When asked about a honeymoon destination, the couple laughed and Capiello said, “J.R. 8” — a reference to the rooftop of one of RiverSpring’s buildings.