Thomas A. ‘Coach’ Caito OBITUARY
Distinguished Retired High School and Collegiate Football CoachSlatersville, RIThomas Anthony Caito, 86, a resident of Slatersville and No. Smithfield, RI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Lowell General Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Marguerite F. ‘Peggy’ Caito with whom he shared 62 years of marriage until her passing in 2022.He was born in Providence, RI, on September 25, 1937, and was the son of the late Philip and Rose Mary (Costintino) Caito. He attended schools in RI, and eventually Boston University where he became a Physical Education teacher, receiving his Master’s in Education.At a young age, Tom ‘Coach’, began his love for sports. He spent most of his life on a football field, the track, or wrestling mats. His football coaching career began at Central High School in Providence RI, moving on to Holliston High School in Holliston, MA, and eventually to Chelmsford High School, Chelmsford MA., where he would coach his four sons on the football field. He made his move to the collegiate level, where he would become the first football coach at Merrimack College. For many years he stayed involved as a volunteer coach and could be seen driving his golf cart on many a sideline.Throughout his acclaimed career as a coach, Tom was steadfast in his belief that mentoring players built character on and off the field. The impact he left on the lives of all who knew him was enormous. His notable achievements include the Massachusetts Hall of Fame, Rhode Island Hall of Fame, he was ranked among the top twenty High School Football Coaches in the history of Massachusetts High School Football, his career record was 247-78-6, and he was inducted into the Chelmsford Athletic Hall of Fame and the Boston University Hall of Fame.His love of family was what truly defined him and was his heart and soul. He and his wife, Peggy, always had their home open and had an extra seat at the table for anyone who needed a home-cooked meal.Tom is survived by his children, Paul Caito and his wife, Julie, John Caito and his wife, Amy, Alison Galligan and her husband, Terry, Laura Federico and her husband, Domenic, Thomas Caito and his wife, Melissa, and Leslie Jones and her husband, LaJhon; his fifteen wonderful grandchildren, Matthew and Meghan Caito, Austin Caito and his wife, Caroline, Taryn and Jordan Caito, Teal, Ciaran, and Temesgan Galligan, Tianna Moloney and her husband, Ryan, Domenic Federico and his girlfriend Allison Whitehead, Anthony Federico, Thomas and Callanan Caito, and LaJhon and Kennedy Jones; and his great-granddaughters, Maeve Elise Caito, Quinn Knightly Caito, and Reese Laura Moloney. He also leaves his younger brother Gerald Caito and his wife Kathy. Sadly, he was predeceased by his son Michael A. Caito.His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 11 am at St. Mary Parish, 25 North Road, CHELMSFORD. KINDLY GATHER AT THE CHURCH. All other services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to the Coach Caito Memorial Scholarship, Chelmsford High School Alumni Association, 200 Richardson Road, N. Chelmsford, MA 01863.Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the BLAKE CHELMSFORD FUNERAL HOM, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD. Funeral directors Paul A. Hardy, Jr. and Jennifer Lebaropoulos Hardy. For directions and online condolences please visit CHELMSFORDFUNERALHOME.COM and find us on Facebook.
