Philip Joe Louis Caci

Philip J. Caci (Phil), 93, of N. Fulton St., passed away at home on October 23, 2017.  Phil was married to Yolanda (Yola) Colella in 1950 and they had 4 children together, Tom, Phyliss, Annette and Joe.   He attended church at both St. Mary’s and at Holy Family.

Phil was born on October 4, 1924 in Staten Island, New York to Joseph and Antoinette Caci.   When he was very young, the family moved to Auburn and Phil attended St. Mary’s School on Clark Street, West High School and East High School.   

Phil was a jack of all trades.  When he was young, Phil developed an interest in mechanics and became an auto mechanic.   He had a lifelong interest in cars and was very handy with all things mechanical.   During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines and was stationed in the Philippines, as well as in Hawaii.   Following the war, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving for another 16 years for a total of over 20 years of military service.   During his time in the service, he was a baker, butcher, cook, drill instructor and a communications technician.   After returning home in 1964, he eventually went to work for the U.S. Postal Service and retired after 10 years.   He later drove a school bus for several years. It was very common when going around Auburn with him to bump into some of the children he drove who had grown up and would go out of their way to greet him.  He was very generous with his time and volunteered to drive for the Scat Van and Food Pantry.  He also drove a van to bring Cancer patients to their treatments and appointments.

Phil was a great man and is remembered by his family and friends as a very outgoing and kind-hearted person who was always a wonderful, caring father and very generous to all whom knew him. A family man, he always looked out for everyone right until the end of his life, willing to help with anything he could.   He was known to his grandchildren as “Grand Dad” and they cherished all the time they had with him.  His years in the service gave him a love of travel and no matter where his children and grandchildren ended up living and working, he would always visit.   

Phil joins his wife Yola Colella Caci, whom he lost in 1998, and his oldest son, Tom, whom he lost in 2012.   He is survived by 3 more children, Phyliss Caci of Maynard, MA, Annette Koziol (husband Mark) of Auburn, NY and Joe Caci (wife Gia) of Belmont, CA.    He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Thomas (TJ), David, Matthew, Alessia and Nicolette as well as 4 great-grandchildren, Sophia, Gemma, Maddox and Katalina.  

Phil was known for sharing stories and life experiences with those around him.  He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered on Friday, November 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Family Church. Inurnment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.