Armand F. "Ace"

Cacciatore

Armand F. “Ace” Cacciatore, 91, of Lewiston, NY, passed away on November 11, 2026 at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY. Born in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of the late Frank and Annita (Pucariello) Cacciatore.

Armand was 1953 Graduate of Niagara Falls High School, and later served in the National Guard. He began his coaching career at Glendive High School in Montana, after graduating from Montana State, during the late 1950s before returning to Western New York and joining the Niagara-Wheatfield faculty in 1960, where he served as a History Teacher for 30 years. He established the school's wrestling program in the early 1960s, building it into one of the most dominant programs in New York State.

Alongside him throughout much of his remarkable journey was his beloved wife, Amelia ‘Mimi’ (Lambros) Cacciatore, whom he married on August 19, 1967 in Buffalo, NY.

Under his leadership, the Falcons captured 17 Niagara Frontier League Wrestling championships and earned numerous Section VI titles. His teams produced remarkable winning streaks of 75 and 55 consecutive matches. During his 26-year football coaching career, Armand’s teams recorded more than 150 victories, won seven divisional championships and three Section VI Class AA titles.

Among his many honors were induction into the Niagara-Wheatfield Athletic Hall of Fame, the NYS Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, the Upper NYS Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, the Section VI Hall of Fame, the WNY Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, the NYS Public High School Athletic Association Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Niagara Falls Sports Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into Niagara-Wheatfield's Falcon Wall of Fame in 2018. In June 2019, Niagara-Wheatfield dedicated its wrestling room in his name.

Armand was also a man of deep Christian faith, a commitment that guided both his personal life and his approach to coaching. A longtime participant in Christian Athletes in Action, he spent nine years working with the Jerry Butler Christian Athletes in Action Football Camps. Armand was a demanding but compassionate coach and teacher who emphasized discipline, hard work, responsibility and respect. He took a genuine interest in his students’ lives, helping many obtain college scholarships and encouraging others to overcome personal challenges.

In addition to his wife of 59 years, Armand is survived by his sister, Anita (Anthony ‘Corky’) Tulino, as well as 20 nieces and nephews, several great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and thousands of former students who knew him simply as “Coach”. He was predeceased by 4 sisters, 2 brothers, 2 brothers in-law, and one sister-in-law.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 16, from 2 – 7 PM at M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY, 14304. Armand’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 17 at 11 AM at Prince of Peace Church, 1055 N. Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY, 14304. Everyone please assemble at church. Private entombment in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY, will be held for Armand’s family. In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made to Niagara Hospice (www.niagarahospice.org). Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.