Health Care Executive

Carmen James Caggiano, Jr., an award winning executive at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and loving husband and father passed away at Mercy Hospital at the age of 52 on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 after a brief illness. Born in Niagara Falls, NY, he was a graduate of Niagara Catholic High School and Niagara University. He was tri-captain of the Rapideers football team and All-Catholic in his junior and senior year. On June 28, 1986 he married his college sweetheart, the former Jennifer Cipollitti in a ceremony officiated by the Very Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, CM, President Emeritus of Niagara University. Choosing to remain in the area, they raised their family in West Seneca. For the past 25 years, Carmen was an extremely valued and highly successful account executive at Pfizer. He was inducted into the prestigious Pfizer Hall of Fame, which honors the finest members of the US sales organization for outstanding performance and achievement with integrity. In addition to his countless leadership and management awards, including Pro Club, Summit Award, and induction into the Pfizer Vice President's Management Cabinet, Carmen achieved certification from Harvard University's Market Mastery Program. Carmen will be remembered by his Pfizer family for his unwavering kindness, empathy, and friendship.

He was an avid Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Orioles fan, and traveled extensively with his wife and children. He will be forever loved, admired and missed by his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Carmen is survived by his son, Carmen James 'CJ' Caggiano, III, his daughter Charon Patricia Rose 'Chari' Caggiano, mother Clara M. (Gino) Caggiano of Niagara Falls, NY and the late Carmen J. Caggiano Sr., sisters, Patricia (Anthony) Grisanti of Cornelius, NC and Carla (Sean) Kilmartin of Galway, Ireland, father-in-law & mother-in-law, Fernando and Stella Cipollitti of Niagara Falls, sister-in-law, Joanna (Dr. Michael) Merletti and brother-in-law John (Heather) Cipollitti both of Grand Island. Carmen is also survived by 2 nephews, Peter Grisanti of Houston, Texas, Ben Cipollitti of Grand Island, 4 nieces, Claire Kilmartin of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Catherine Merletti, Lauren Merletti and Anna Cipollitti all of Grand Island. Carmen is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and colleagues too numerous to mention. Carmen was the 'platinum standard' for husband, father and friend.

Visitation will be held on Saturday from 2-7 p.m. and Sunday 2-6 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL 2730 Military Road Niagara Falls, NY. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday March 16th at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish at St. Joseph's Church 1413 Pine Ave. Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Stewart Lindsay, O.S.F.S. officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery Niagara Falls, NY. Carmen was a believer and supporter of Catholic education, in lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made to Queen of Heaven School 839 Mill Rd. West Seneca, NY 14224, Niagara University PO Box 2008, Niagara University, NY, 14109, Canisius College 2001 Main St. Buffalo, NY 14208, Catholic Charities of WNY 741 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14209 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital PO Box 100 Dept. 142 Memphis, TN 38148.