Emmanuel D. Kapalis, of Wellesley and West Yarmouth, MA, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2022. Beloved husband of Gloria (Esserian) Kapalis. Devoted father of Erica Kapalis Bond and Dmitri Kapalis and his wife Anne. Cherished Papou of Jack, Gia and Joe Bond. Brother of Konstantina Diakogiannis, Efstathios Kapalis and his wife Filitsa, and the late Georgios Kapalis. Brother-in-law of Cheryl Kapalis, Helen Esserian, the late Armen Esserian, and the late Madeline Koshgarian and her late husband Robert. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends here and in Greece.

As a child, Emmanuel showed great academic promise, leaving his village of Apolakkia for the city in order to get a better education. Following high school, he emigrated to the United States, living in Illinois with his Uncle and working his way through Augustana College, where he was a standout wrestler. He went on to continue his studies at the University of Iowa, where he earned a Masters Degree in Mathematics.

It was when he returned to Greece to perform his military duty that he met Gloria Esserian. They were married in Athens, Greece in 1962 but returned to the United States in 1964 to start their family.  "Mike" went on to a career as a software engineer and programmer with various technology companies in Massachusetts and New York. He was particularly proud to have worked on the Apollo Project. During this period, it was also his privilege to help both his brothers emigrate to the Boston area, where they settled, raised their families, and became part of the Greek Orthodox communities.

After family, his great love was "the beautiful game" of soccer. He was one of the pioneers who brought organized soccer to the area for young girls in the 1970's. He continued to coach his daughter and other girls in Wellesley for almost ten years, leading many town and club league teams to victory in New England and beyond, and yet he always found time to provide encouragement and rides at all hours of the day and night to regional hockey rinks so that his son could excel at hockey. He served as a Director of the Wellesley United Soccer Club and was recognized over the years for his devotion and leadership. He also became a league referee, traveling all around the area to officiate both boys and girls games at every level and thus becoming a very well known figure in town. In his later years, he went on to play for, organize, and manage teams in the "Over the Hill Soccer League".

Mike was extremely proud of and devoted to his family. He beamed when talking of his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments. He loved the ocean, and some of his happiest times were spent on the jetty in West Yarmouth teaching his grandchildren how to fish or playing chess and backgammon with anyone who was brave enough. His grandchildren loved to joke about how Papou often cheated,  but they still managed to beat him every now and then.

Mike was also an avid vegetable gardener, using organic practices before they were trendy because that's how they did it in the old country. It gave him great pleasure to share his bounty with neighbors, family and friends and would not take no for an answer.

He was loved for his gregarious nature, his generosity and loyalty, his intelligent conversations about Greek history or politics, his positive outlook on life, his devotion to family, and his contributions to youth soccer in his community. He made friends wherever he went and was a gracious and generous host. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral Service on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 10AM at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 57 Brown St., Weston, MA. Visitation prior to the Service from 9AM to 10AM at church. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the above named church. Burial in Mt. Auburn Cemetery.