Mike Capuano - Early Life, Education and Career

Early Life, Education and Career

Michael Everett Capuano was born January 9, 1952, in the Spring Hill neighborhood of Somerville, Massachusetts, a densely populated city just north of Boston. His mother, Rita Marie Capuano (née Garvey), was a former secretary who grew up in the Boston neighborhoods of Dorchester, Allston, and Brighton. Rita grew up in an Irish American household; her parents, Grace A. (Shaughnessy) and Earl Everett Garvey, were the children of Irish immigrants. In 1942, she married Andrew Capuano, the son of Sabina (Solimina) and Michael Capuano, Italian immigrants (he from Candida, Campania, Italy). Andrew left to serve in World War II shortly after the marriage. When he returned, he ran for the Somerville Board of Aldermen, and became the first Italian American elected to the board. He served two terms and went on to work for the Massachusetts Department of Corporations and Taxation.

Rita and Andrew had seven children, of whom one died in childbirth and another died of polio at the age of 5. Michael and four siblings, Lisa, Pamela, Andrew Jr., and Ruth, grew up in Somerville. Michael was named after his two grandfathers. He attended Somerville High School, and graduated in 1969. In 1973, he received an A.B. degree from Dartmouth College, and in 1977, a law degree from Boston College Law School. He specialized in tax law.