Dr. Anthony P. Caggiano, Jr., 84 of Woodland Park, formerly of Montclair, passed away on December 12, 2023. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10am on Saturday December 16th, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 94 Pine Street, Montclair. Entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum, 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Friday, December 15th from 4-8pm at Caggiano Memorial, 62 Grove St, Montclair.
Anthony obtained his undergraduate degree at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey and then attended Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. Four years later, he received his medical degree and completed his internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Martland Hospital Unit-Newark City Hospital (later UMDNJ – NJMS). Following his post graduate studies, Anthony served two years during the Vietnam conflict in the United States Air Force at Altus Air Force Base in Altus, Oklahoma. Captain Caggiano cared for the wives and families of the airmen and pilots while at the base. After his Air Force tour of duty, he returned to New Jersey where he practiced his specialty in the Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, and West Essex area. He served as an attending physician at Mountainside, Clara Maas, St. Barnabas, and Columbus hospitals.
Dr. Caggiano was very busy with his private practice but found time for leadership and administrative roles. He was a Clinical Assistant Professor of OB-GYN at the New Jersey Medical School in Newark, New Jersey. Mountainside Hospital became his primary hospital, and he served as Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology, President of the Medical Staff, Member of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Mountainside Physician Hospital Organization. He served as President of the Associated Physicians of Montclair and vicinity.
Dr. Caggiano became active with the Essex County Medical Society and eventually served as their President. He was recognized as a leader and the Medical Society of New Jersey elected him to the Board of Trustees and he eventually became President of the Medical Society of New Jersey and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. As President of the Medical Society of New Jersey, he fought for patient and physician rights with the insurance companies (HMOs). He also lobbied for significant tort reform.
After 33 years, Dr. Caggiano returned to his "first love" of teaching medicine and surgery full time. He retired from private practice and became Clinical Associated Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UMDNJ-NJMS. He served for many years as a Faculty Council member and on the Board of the University Physicians Associates.
Dr. Caggiano was named as an Examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and examined candidates for Board Certification for over eight years. At the University he received the prestigious Golden Apple Award from the medical students, the Council of Resident education in Obstetrics & Gynecology National Faculty Award, and the Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics Excellence in teaching Award. The Alumni Association of the New Jersey Medical School awarded him their Charles L. Brown Award for his care of the underserved patients of Newark and the vicinity. In addition, he dedicated his time and services to the clients in the Straight and Narrow program in Paterson, NJ for the Catholic charities. Dr. Caggiano was an avid golfer and won the President's Cup at the Glen Ridge Country Club in 1987. He is very proud of his three holes-in-one.
Dr. Caggiano is survived by his six children: Anthony III & his wife Bettina, Tracy Lyn & John Sweeney, Dawn Pier & her husband Bobby Wohlgemuth, Danielle Maria & her husband Carl Houser, Marc Anthony & Angela Costagliola , and Erik Francis & Brenda Galarza, his sister Anne Marie, as well as his nine loving grandchildren: Noah, Marc, Luke, Drew, Cade, Madelyn, Jordyn, Chase & Olivia. Also, by his longtime companion, Rachel D'Amore, and her family, Anthony & Marlene Giordano, Frank & Carol Mitarotonda, Nick Mitarotonda, and their children, Frank II, Matthew, Jenna, Krista, and Emily, as well as his extended family of cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Dr. Anthony P. Caggiano, Sr., and Ella "nee" Donlon, and his sister Ellen and his brother Joe.
Dr. Caggiano was famous for saying, "No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care". He also believed that God blessed him for allowing him to "assist over 7,000 women bring new life into the world".
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. Jude