Mr. Charles A. Gaetano

UTICA - Mr. Charles A. Gaetano, a prominent, lifelong Utican and local philanthropist, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Thursday, September 22, 2022, after a remarkable and renowned life, at the age of 99. It was fitting that he passed in his home surrounded by his loving family. Born on July 18, 1923, Charles was the son of the late Antonio and Congetta (Rizzo) Gaetano. He was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School/Class of 1943. Immediately following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy serving as a Seabee during World War II. He was Honorably discharged in 1946 and then recalled to duty in 1952 serving stateside during the Korean Conflict. On May 25, 1946 Charles married Cornelia “Connie” Nelson ~ the ‘love of his life’ and the amazing mother of his children. They were a marvelous duo, stunning and steadfastly in love. They shared 65 years “as one heart” until Connie’s passing on January 23, 2012. Although his life was so active, Charles longed to be reunited in spirit with his adored Connie. As a beloved patriarch, he was respected and admired as a father. He spent time imparting his wisdom with passion and love, raising his family, and remaining in their lives during all the seasons and generations. They embraced and carried on his customs which made for a fantastic family life. He always said his family was his greatest asset and joy. A man of humble beginnings, by the mid 1950’s, Charles had become a successful and highly regarded masonry contractor. In 1970, Chuck and Connie established the Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corporation that evolved now to a second-generation, full-service General Contracting, Construction Management, and Design Build construction firm. A skilled craftsman and self-made businessman, Charles forged a reputation as a leader in his community - a man committed to bettering his community through tireless determination, and a vision for positive change. Some of his proudest professional achievements included the purchase and development of several of the city’s most prominent landmarks: the former St. Luke’s Hospital on Whitesboro Street known as the CAG Building, 258 Genesee Street where Gaetano Construction presently resides, the Paul Building on Elizabeth Street which was restored into modern office space; the former Boston Store in downtown Utica, the transformation of the former UNIVAC building into the Charlestown Factory Outlet Mall with a secondary outlet in Ogdensburg, the conversion of the Utica Catholic Academy into condominiums known as Academy at Southgate, and the restoration of the Chamanade Retreat Center in Marcy. With a deep devotion for the visually impaired, Charles successfully negotiated with the General Electric Company to donate the Kent St. building to C.A.B.V.I. (Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired). He continued his involvement with C.A.B.V.I. for more than 40 years, serving 5 of those years as President, and was a Director Emeritus. A vital member of the Utica business community for more than 50 years, his philanthropic contributions were vast. Utica University is one of many beneficiaries of his extraordinary commitment and generosity. In 2002, with Connie, Charles transformed not only their athletic program, but the entire vibrancy of the campus, with his generous support and leadership of The Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. In 2012 the Stadium Plaza was erected and dedicated in Connie's memory. In 2004, he was awarded the honorary degree, Doctor of Laws, in recognition of his remarkable professional accomplishments, philanthropy, and service to the institution. In 2007, the Alumni Council named him an honorary alumnus, and in 2015, he was inducted into the Pioneer Athletics Hall of Fame. With his love of country, he dedicated himself to the needs of veterans. He purchased the former YMCA building and donated it to the Veteran’s Outreach Coalition. He served as Chairman of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center Elizabethan Society for 10 years. He served on the Executive Council of the Upper Mohawk Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America and gave of his time to the American Heart Association, and Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare. He was Chairman of the Syracuse Diocesan Hope Appeal and served over 35 years as Trustee of St. Agnes Church. He and Connie were both members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He also served on the Knights of Columbus Council #189 and was a member of the Alambra. Charles was a faithful communicant of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church for many, many years, and his heart and soul belonged to the traditions of that parish. He was awarded the Mohawk Valley Builder’s Exchange Construction Man of the Year and named “Industrial Man of the Year” in 1979 by the Utica Chapter of the International Council Management. In his private time, he found peace and solace fishing. He was a well-documented fisherman whose accomplishments include landing a 5-pound-plus smallmouth bass at Saratoga Lake, chronicled as one of his most memorable catches, and a nearly 20-pound lake trout from White Lake at his summer home. An ardent outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and winter sports. He had a great respect for wildlife. If you knew him, you would always find him with a dog or 2 by his side. Whether you called him Dad, Grandpa G., Papa G., or Mr. G., Charles filled the hearts of all he held close and mentored. He was a dynamic, meticulous storyteller with a genuine, great smile that anyone who met him would never forget. Charles is survived by his children, William C. and Cecelia Gaetano, Brian A. and Sandra Gaetano, Charles N. and Vita Gaetano, Mary Jude Gaetano, Colleen A. Gaetano, and Greg “Tucker” and Michelle Gaetano; his adored grandchildren who made his life complete, Anthony and Meagan Gaetano, Dr. William and Krystal Gaetano and Mary Rose Gaetano; Erica Gaetano and Chris LoRusso, and Brittany Gaetano and Marissa Velez; Heather Gaetano and Jason Krzemien, Charles A. Gaetano II, Matthew and Jamie Gaetano, and Elizabeth and Ron Winn; and several great-grandchildren with whom he was blessed to have shared his heart and love. He was also beloved by his 2 nieces, Brenda A. Baker, and Donna Jones-Ilsley; and his cherished cousin, Flora (Rizzo) Scialdo. He was preceded by his siblings and their spouses, Julia Gaetano, Rose and “Mo” Jones, and Frank and Angela Gaetano; his mother-in-law, Cornelia (Gaffney) Nelson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Walter Nelson, Neal Nelson, Rosemary and Robert J. Baker, and Mary Agnes Finn; and his nephew, Robert J. Baker. Mr. Gaetano’s relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life which will commence on Saturday morning, October 1, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Lourdes Campus, 2222 Genesee St., Utica with Military Honors conferred by the U.S. Navy. There will be an opportunity to pay respects to the family at the conclusion of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Charles’ honor may be directed to the Charles and Connie Gaetano Scholarship at Utica University online at https://www.utica.edu/advance/donate.cfm or the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired online at https://www.cabvi.org/#donate; envelopes will be available at the service. Entombment will take place at the convenience of the family in their private Mausoleum at St. Agnes Cemetery where Charles will be laid to rest beside his beloved Connie. Upon their Mausoleum appears the following, in Italian, “Non c’é male per il figlio di un giardiniere!” which translates to “Not so bad for the son of gardenier”. https://youtu.be/qQzdAsjWGPg

Mr. Charles A. Gaetano

July 18, 1923 - September 22, 2022