September 10, 2025
In celebration of a leader who changed the healthcare landscape in northwest Connecticut and his four decades of dedicated service to colleagues and patients, the Prenoveau Family and PAC Group announced a generous $1 million gift to establish the John J. Capobianco Medical Education and Care Center at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.
Named in honor of the late John J. Capobianco, a healthcare leader who led Charlotte Hungerford Hospital as Senior Vice President of Operations until his passing in July 2025, the Capobianco Medical Education and Care Center will be the future home of the hospital’s Rural Residency Program. This program, first conceptualized by Capobianco, will play a vital role in bridging the healthcare needs of local communities with the development of future family medicine and psychiatry professionals in the northwest region.
According to Bill Zampaglione, VP of Real Estate at PAC Group, the honor befits the man whose vision and track record were instrumental in increasing residents’ access to world-class healthcare.
“For 40 years, John’s finger was always on the pulse of our community, and he knew what it took to make Charlotte Hungerford Hospital flourish,” shared Zampaglione. “Paul Prenoveau had a very special place in his heart for John—he thought the world of him, as we all do. We felt it was important for us to commemorate John and his four decades of extraordinary service and leadership in this meaningful way. It’s all bittersweet, but we are happy we were able to present him with this honor and share another special moment with him before his passing.”
PAC Group, a long-time philanthropic supporter of Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, was founded by Prenoveau and remains a family-owned construction business in Torrington. Zampaglione says the company culture created by Prenoveau is rooted in building a positive experience for both their clients and employees, which he feels perfectly aligns with Capobianco’s philosophy and legacy of supporting and developing his colleagues.
Pictured Above: Bill Zampaglione of PAC Group (left) and John Capobianco (right) often teamed up at the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Golf Classic to raise funds for hospital beneficiaries.
“Both the Prenoveau Family and PAC Group strongly believe in supporting important resources within our community, and Charlotte Hungerford is certainly one of them,” shared Zampaglione. “The culture of service, mentorship, and compassion John built, paired with Hartford HealthCare’s ability to create and grow programs, has earned the trust of this region, and we are proud to honor John and stand behind the hospital’s work in developing its future workforce.”
“We are tremendously grateful to the Prenoveau Family and PAC Group for this significant investment and recognition of a healthcare leader so well-respected, loved, and missed by his colleagues and community,” said Debbie Bender, Director of Philanthropy at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. “Leader, healer, mentor, friend…there are so many positive ways to describe John Capobianco, and we are so very pleased and thankful that his career, contributions, and legacy are being honored in such a lasting manner.”
“Our Rural Residency Program is a realization of John’s vision to secure a bright future for healthcare in the northwest region, and this gift will allow us to attract top medical talent, expand our care and services, and enhance Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s reputation as a center of excellence in rural healthcare.”
We invite you to make a gift in support of the John J. Capobianco Healthcare Excellence & Education Endowment Fund by clicking here.
