'A lifetime of building': Utica construction company founder Charles Gaetano dies at 99

H. Rose Schneider, Observer-Dispatch
·1 min read

Charles Gaetano, known for his community involvement and founding of area business Gaetano Construction, died Thursday, according to an obituary. He was 99.

Gaetano, a lifetime resident of Utica and a Proctor High School graduate, established the Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corporation in 1970 following decades of success as a masonry contractor, according to Utica University, who inducted Gaetano into their Hall of Fame in 2015 and named their stadium for him in 2012.

The construction company would go on to work on several Utica-area projects. Gaetano also donated to numerous local charities in his lifetime, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties noted in a profile of him last year.

"In many ways Charles A. 'Chuck' Gaetano's story is Utica's story," the foundation states. "A son of Italian immigrants, his modest upbringing led to a lifetime of building: family, business, community, and philanthropy. And always with his wife, Connie, by his side until her passing in 2012."

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Gaetano also notably purchased CharlesTown Mall — a former manufacturing plant, outlet center and business mall on the Herkimer and Oneida County line — in 1977 and opened the CharlesTown outlet center in 1982. The site became the CharlesTown Business Complex after the center closed in 1991.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a mass and celebration of life 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish at 2222 Genesee St., Utica, the obituary states. A private entombment will take place at his family's convenience.

H. Rose Schneider covers public safety, breaking and trending news for the Observer-Dispatch in Utica. Email Rose at hschneider@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Charles Gaetano dies at 99: Utica man know for 'lifetime of building'