LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Joseph A. Caligiuri, a
longtime educator, school administrator, and devoted member of his
community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Caligiuri of West Seneca, New York, died on Sunday,
December 27, 2009, at the age of 71; and
WHEREAS, Born on February 5, 1938, Buffalo native Joseph A. Caligiuri
nearly followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers who became
Catholic priests in the Diocese of Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Caligiuri was a graduate of St. Bernard Seminary
and College in Rochester, and studied theology for a few years at the
Pontifical Urban University in Rome, Italy; and
WHEREAS, While in Rome, he met Joan Maras, who was visiting Italy on a
trip and would later become his wife of 43 years; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Caligiuri remained a devoted Catholic, but instead
of the priesthood, he pursued a career in education, earning a Master's
degree from Canisius College, followed by an Educational Administration
degree from the University at Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Caligiuri distinguished himself in his profession
and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of his community; and
WHEREAS, He started his career as a teacher at St. Joseph Collegiate
Institute; in addition, he taught part-time at both Medaille College and
Daemen College; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Caligiuri served as Associate Superintendent for
Secondary Education for the Diocese of Buffalo's Department of Catholic
Education; and
WHEREAS, His service to Hopevale Union Free School District in
Hamburg, New York, began in 1986, when he became the Principal of the
school for teenage girls with emotional disabilities, prior to becoming
the Superintendent and then retiring in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Caligiuri's commitment to excellence, and his spir-
it of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. Caligiuri was active for many years in Catholic
religious education, coordinating programs at Fourteen Holy Helpers
Parish in West Seneca, New York, and at St. Benedict Parish in Eggerts-
ville, New York; he also served many years as a Eucharistic minister in
his home parish; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, Joseph A. Caligiuri was honored by the Catholic
Youth Department with the Bishop James A. McNulty Memorial Award; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his brother-in-law, William Witherspoon,
Joseph A. Caligiuri is survived by his wife, Joan Caligiuri; two sons,
Russell (Joanne) Caligiuri and Joseph (Catherine) Caligiuri; one daugh-
ter, Ann Marie (James) Sobol; four grandchildren, Carly, Emily, Andrew
and Caroline; three brothers, Monsignor Anthony Caligiuri, Monsignor
Angelo Caligiuri, and Michael (Louise) Caligiuri; and one sister, Mary
Witherspoon, as well as many nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Joseph A. Caligiuri leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Joseph A. Caligiuri, a longtime educator, school
administrator, and devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Joseph A. Caligiuri.