The Search For Kapitan’s Rest
May this inspire you to write your family story as once that information is gone, it is forever lost… šš¼
Are my ancestors calling on me to write this story? I think soā¦ ā¤ļøāš„
12 minutes read time.
Iām Greg Kapitan, and I held onto this photo for many yearsāit was the only one I had of my mother, Rose Kapitan, alongside my grandmother, Anna Kapitan (my father Georgeās mother). They were at a place I had heard about often growing up: Kapitan’s Rest, located in Malden-on-Hudson, a hamlet in Ulster County, New York.
In 1999, I came across the vintage advertisement shown above, confirming the name and location of the property.
Kapitanās Rest was the summer home of my grandparents, Gregory and Anna Kapitan, who lived in the Bronx. They owned the home from 1949 to 1959, about two hours north of the city. My grandfather passed away in 1957, and my grandmother sold the home two years later. Though it was offered to my parents, raising three children and commuting from Northport, Long Island, to New York City made it unmanageable at the time.
Born in 1961, I never saw the home or met my grandfather. However, my older sistersāseven and eight years my seniorāhave shared warm and vivid memories of summers there. The stories, though fragmented over time, left a lasting impression and deepened my desire to learn more about this cherished piece of family history. š
1988 – Road trip with my parents & sister
In 1988, it was time for a road trip to upstate New York to see if the old five-bedroom home on 2.1 acresāfondly known as Kapitanās Restāwas still standing. My parents, George and Rose, along with my sister Michele, packed into their 1987 white Toyota Camry and we set off.
We drove through the scenic hills of upstate New York, stopping in Saugerties for a meal before continuing on to Malden-on-Hudson in search of our family home.
This photo shows my sister Michele in 1988 at Poultney Bigelow Memorial Park, near the well-known cannon landmark on Main Street (State Route 34) in Hudson, NY.
1988 – Around the corner from park was the home!
As we walked by the home, my sister recalled it being just across from Malden School and diagonally across from the park. If you look closely, there’s someone sunbathing on the lawnāa detail I remember clearly, as they had just laid out a blanket. I also noticed the distinctive eyebrow window on what appeared to be the attic or third floor.
Finding the house brought a mix of emotionsājoy in seeing it still standing, but sadness knowing it hadnāt been in our family since 1959. We quietly took a photo, not wanting to disturb the person outside. In hindsight, I wish I had simply asked if we could walk the propertyāespecially with my parents and sister there.
For me, Greg, the desire to reconnect with my familyās history at Kapitanās Rest has only deepened, especially since my parents’ passing. It feels like a callingāone that continues to grow stronger with time. ā¤ļøāš„
2022 – We started again researching from a special place called Dharmakaya in Cragsmoor NY
My loving wife Michelleāa dedicated detective, researcher, and family historianāand I often visit the Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing, a peaceful retreat nestled on 60 acres in upstate New York. Our time there is focused on deepening our understanding of the mind and how we, as humans, relate to ourselves and one anotherāwith the shared goal of contributing to a better world. šš¼
The teachings have helped me grow in empathy and broadened my appreciation for all spiritual paths. They’ve also deepened my respect for my Catholic upbringing and my time with LDS (Mormon) familyāfar more than I ever imagined.
When not in meditation, study, or fellowship, we spend time doing digital research. And with Kapitanās Rest just 55 minutes away, its presence continues to pull on our heartstrings each visit. š
In Cragsmoor NY we found a huge clue:
The Saugerties Daily Post, published in Saugerties, New York on Thursday, October 24th, 1957 2nd paragraph says:
“Grigat, known as the “Mr. Rip Van Winkle” of Greene County formerly lived in Malden in a boarding house now owned by Gregory A Kapitan opposite the Malden School.”
Thanks to digital records, I finally confirmed what I couldnāt clearly recall during our 1988 visit. At the time, I was so focused on the house itself that I didnāt take note of any nearby landmarks. Fortunately, my sister Michele remembered the school being directly across the street.
We initially searched Ulster Countyās online land records for āKapitanā and the property, but many records didnāt go back far enough. With the help of my wife Michelleāwho devoted countless hours to both paper and digital researchāand some kind local residents in Malden, we were able to piece together a trail of ownership and connect it back to our family’s time there.
In Cragsmoor NY we did a Google Earth Map but…
With our digital research in hand, the next step was to explore the area on Google Earthābut the results left us with more questions than answers.
The old schoolhouse sits next to Memorial Park, with only one home between them. Across from the school, however, is now just a large vacant lotāspanning what appears to be over two acres. Could this have once been Kapitanās Rest?
The uncertainty only deepened our curiosity. One thing was clear: a visit to Malden-on-Hudson was now a must. š
Digital stories about the home & family discovered:
“Mrs. Clara Grigat of Malden-on-Hudson has sold her property (1949) to the Kapitan family of the Bronx and Newark. Gregory Kapitan Is a stockholder of a well known wholesale bakery firm and will have his family here part of the summer.”
Heartwarming stories about family gatherings in the news:
Uncovering these missing pieces has been a meaningful journeyāallowing me to more deeply connect with and better understand the lives and experiences of my parents and grandparents. With each new discovery, my grandparents’ presence has grown stronger in my heart. š
I truly believe our ancestors live on within us, and the more we listen to their stories, the more they continue to grow through us. šš¼
“Over the Fourth of July weekend the Kapitan house was crowded with Georges in-laws and their families from New York City. It is a welcome sight to see the house open”
The home was sold In 1959 after Grandpa’s passing:
This was sad but also confirming for me to read… š¢
“Mrs. Anna Kapitan has sold her home to Jaimes Southerland. The family moved in last Tuesday.”
Clarification, my grandpa passed in 1957 and my grandmother sold the home in 1959 as it was to much for just her to take care of even though she did have help from family.
2024 – Finally a visit to Malden-on-Hudson NY:
My wife Michelle and I rented an Airbnb along the Hudson River in Malden to continue our on-the-ground research and hopefully locate the home across from the schoolhouse, as referenced in the newspaper article. However, the large vacant lot nearby left us wondering if we were still missing a key piece of the puzzle.
During our visit, we had the pleasure of meeting some kind locals just a few houses downāLauren and Tim P******āwho were incredibly helpful. To our surprise and joy, we discovered that Iām actually related to Tim through marriage. We found family here in Malden NY. š„°
Our new friends found this image on Google Earth:
And there it wasāin a 2012 imageābefore it was reportedly torn down a few years later, as shared by locals in Malden. I could clearly see the intersection on the left where the only photo of my mother and grandmother was taken. š
Notable changes were visible: a tin lean-to roof on the left, a raised gable, part of the front porch enclosed, and the distinctive eyebrow window in the atticājust as we saw in our 1988 photo.
Lauren and Tim confirmed the home had fallen into disrepair and was demolished about 10 years ago. š¢ This explains the vacant lot now seen across from the Malden Schoolhouse on Google Earth.
Walk my grandparents land we did:
Just a five-minute walk from our Airbnb brought us to the vacant land where my grandparentsā home once stood. It was truly an honor to stand where Kapitanās Rest had beenāa place once filled with the presence of my parents, grandparents and other loved ones. š
In the photo below, my wife Michelle walks the property, with the Malden Schoolhouse clearly visible across the streetājust as described in the Saugerties Daily Post in 1957.
Though I still have only one photo of my family at Kapitanās Rest, my longing to see more of this special chapter in their lives continues to grow. š
My heart was in much joy & the creation of NY EZ Pay:
After walking the land and taking in the local scenery, Michelle and I made our way back to the Airbnb, reflecting on everything we had uncovered. I felt a deep sense of pride in tracing my family roots. Being in this part of upstate New York felt like coming homeāa heartfelt tribute to my parents and grandparents, all of whom have long since passed. š¢šš¼
We both fell in love with Malden-on-Hudson and felt inspired to put down some roots of our own. As a way to give back to the state that gave me so many cherished memoriesāfrom my upbringing on Long Islandās North Shore to these new moments in MaldenāI launched New York EZ Pay.
With over 15 years in the payments industry, I created NY EZ Pay to help small businesses with credit card processing solutions, with a special focus on navigating New Yorkās updated surcharging laws, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in December 2023.
Below are a few more photos that inspired us during our stay. I often wonderādo my grandparents know what Iām doing now because of them? Or are they gently guiding me still, through all of this? š„šš„°šš¼
2025 – Pensacola Florida to view old photos with sister Michele:
It was time for a long-overdue visit to my sister Michele in Pensacola, Florida. While there, we made a meaningful stop at my parentsā final resting placeāa peaceful spot near a gently trickling water garden. As always, the visit brought many tears. š
Back at Micheleās home, we spent time looking through many old photo envelopes. Then, my heart leapt with joyāI found one labeled in my motherās handwriting: āHouse in Malden-on-Hudson.ā š
This was the only photo (below) I had until…
Photos of Kapitan’s Rest that I never seen:
This photo has been colorized.
My sisters touching comments about the photo above…. š
Closing thoughts on family history both yours and mine:
Note the angels hands over the blue unlit candles… šš¼
Once you pass, that information is gone. Why not preserve it…
Thank you for reading. We hope that our journeyāmarked by years of discovery, mystery, and heartfelt momentsāhas touched your heart as deeply as it has ours. Every family has a story worth sharing, and without telling it, who would ever know? š¤
Have a family story to share?
What about your family? Do you hold something that is very dear deep in your heart that you would like to tell the world before you pass? ā¤ļøāš„
Here are a few of my family links that you can also build for yours. They are waiting ya know… šš¼
Gregory Kapitan (paternal grandpa)
Anna Kapitan (paternal grandma)