Timeless love: Patients at Bronx nursing home tie the knot in sweet ceremony before crowd of staff, friends

New York Post

10-07-2025

A good marriage needs patients.
A pair of lovebirds on Thursday exchanged vows, rings and hope for the future in a Bronx nursing home — where they first fell head over heels in love.
A crowd of fellow patients, family, nurses and even the facility's therapy dog looked on as Al Cappiello, 76, and Elizabeth Bly, 51, shared their first kiss as man and wife at RiverSpring Living's Nursing Home — in what is the first marriage for both.
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7 Al Cappiello, 76, and Elizabeth Bly, 51, share a kiss after tying the knot.
Stephen Yang
'Anything is possible. You can find love anywhere — age is just a number,' Cappiello told The Post after cementing his nuptials.
'I'm very lucky. I'm so, so, so happy,' said Bly, originally or Harlem.
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The sweethearts planned every detail of the ceremony inside the Riverdale senior facility's banquet room, from the Greek-inspired backdrop to the deeply rich purple tablecloths that matched Bly's wedding dress — a color she chose over white simply because it's her favorite.
Other residents served as the groomsmen and bridesmaids, while Daisy, the home's beloved therapy dog, served as flower girl and preceded Bly down the aisle.
7 The marriage is the first for both Cappiello and Bly.
Stephen Yang
7 The lovebirds first met a the nursing home in 2023.
Stephen Yang
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7 Daisy, the home's therapy dog, served as the flower girl.
Stephen Yang
Bly, fittingly, walked down in front of their friends and family — including her adult son — as Jennifer Olegario, the home's occupational therapist, sang Etta James' 'At Last.'
'Did you ever hear the words? 'At last my love has come along.' The way that I feel, the way she feels. It's romantic!' said Capiello, a retired substance abuse counselor.
The pair of lovebirds first met back in 2023 when Bly first joined the home to rehabilitate some issues she was having with her legs.
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7 Cappiello popped the question last July on Bly's birthday.
Stephen Yang
At the time, Cappiello was a staple of the home and was even part of a rag-tag group of 'Golden Guys' known for wisecracking and card games.
He was immediately enchanted by the newbie, whom he described as coquettishly 'quiet and shy' and made it a mission to get to know her better.
Bly was at first suspicious of Cappiello and his forward manner — but she ultimately gave him a chance to become a much-needed friend as she transitioned into a permanent resident.
7 Bly chose a purple wedding dress simply because it is her favorite color.
Stephen Yang
Their friendship slowly blossomed into romance until Bly's birthday last July — when Cappiello popped the question with an engagement ring and a butterfly ring.
The nursing home romance is the second for the gentleman. His previous seven-year romance with Gloria, another resident, tragically ended several years prior with her death.
'I'm extremely happy. This is the second time he's found love here, and I never thought he'd find love again. I'll start to cry if I think about it,' Jeff Hyman, Cappiello's best man and best friend of 35 years, said.
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7 'Anything is possible. You can find love anywhere — age is just a number,' Cappiello said.
Stephen Yang
But despite entering their sunset years single, neither Cappiello nor Bly gave up hope that they might one day have a ring on their fingers.
Whether they'll move in together inside the nursing home, however, is still up in the air.
'We're not to that point. We have to figure it out!' Bly said.