Caceci, Thomas Gaetano
By medicine life may be prolong’d; yet death Will seize the Doctor, too. –Cymbeline, Act V, Sc. 5
Thomas Gaetano Caceci, MD, died quietly at his home in Blacksburg, Va. on January 2, 2009. He was 94. Born in New York City, on New Year’s Eve 1914, to his immigrant parents, Paolo and Letizia Caceci, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife and companion of 68 years, Silvia; and by two brothers, John and Richard.
He is survived by his children and their spouses, Leticia Caceci, of White Plains, N.Y., Thomas and Susan Caceci, of Blacksburg, Catherine E. and William Burke, of Queensbury, N.Y., Gina L. Caceci, of Falls Church, Va., Michael and Theresa Caceci, of Pittsford, N.Y.; and by five grandchildren, Cathy E. Burke, of Syracuse, N.Y., Thomas W. Burke, of Fairfax, Va., William T. Gallagher, of Fairfax, Va., Caroline and Camille Caceci, of Pittsford, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.
He graduated with Phi Beta Kappa Honors from New York University in 1935 and received the MD degree from New York Medical College in 1939. In 1940, he joined the United States Army Corps and served as a Medical Officer and Flight Surgeon throughout World War II, separating from active service in 1946. In that year, he established a private medical practice in the Kingsbridge section of New York City where he was, simply “The Doctor” to thousands of patients until his retirement in 1982. In the mid 1950’s, Dr. Caceci was a Founding Member of Misericordia Hospital (now the Northern Division of Montefiore Hospital of the Bronx) where he remained on the medical staff until he retired. He was a member of the American College of Physicians, the Medical Society of New York State and the Bronx County Medical Society.
A memorial service in his honor will be scheduled at St. John’s Church, in Kingsbridge, in the near future. In lieu of flowers or Mass cards, the family requests that donations in his memory be made to the Warm Hearth Foundation, 2607 Warm Hearth Drive, Suite 100, Blacksburg, Va. 24060.
It is impossible for those who knew and loved him to comprehend a world without him in it. His life was an example and an inspiration to his children, his patients and his community. He was a scholar, a humanitarian, a teacher and a healer, living a life of service to others and devotion to those who needed his advice, comfort and concern. For nearly 40 years, he ministered to the community of Kingsbridge with unlimited compassionate concern for his patients and neighbors. He delivered babies, treated illnesses and consoled people in their grief, serving them in ways far beyond mere medical therapy. To his children he was indulgent and supportive, always.
These are the things he loved, above and before all else, his wife, Silvia, who brought light and meaning to his life for nearly seven decades; his children, no matter what their follies; his home and refuge in Dutchess County, N.Y.; his country and community; and the poetry of Dante and Shakespeare.
His family wishes to express their gratitude to all of the staff members of the Showalter Center of Blacksburg, where he had lived since 2002; to the kitchen, housekeeping, maintenance and activities staff; to William Lester and Ellen Ward, Administrators, for their assistance and guidance; to Sharon Moye, Director of Nursing, for her professionalism and dedicated management of his needs; to Laurie Kirk, Nursing Coordinator, and to all of the nurses and CNA’s who never refused a request or failed to provide the best possible assistance they could. Most especially, we want to thank his personal caregivers, Rosie Alderman, Ginny Broache, Ann Cook, Deborah Cook, Jamie Dadras, Kathy Davis, Lynda Hawley, Kathy Hodge, Shelby Huffman, Su-Jen Own, Anketse Tengenework, Michelle Thomas and Kristie Woolwine. Their devotion, genuine concern and gentle competence brought dignity, comfort and love to his declining years. Our appreciation for them is far beyond our ability to express adequately.