(Editor's note: the following was sent in by friends of Joseph Cacciola.)

It is with great sorrow that we acknowledge the passing of Joseph Cacciola, our dear friend, companion, citizen, and coach of the Jericho community on Sunday, April 2. It is with great honor that we take time to pull together a few words to pay tribute to this special man. You see, there was something about Joe...

Joe was the very familiar face on the fields and courts on week nights and weekends. It didn't matter where, or what time, or what sport, you were going to see Joe Cacciola standing there with a bag of equipment and most likely all or a couple of his three very special sons, Danny, Brendan, and Cory. Whether it was the Jericho Athletic Association, the Jericho Youth Football League, or the Jericho Lacrosse Club, it really didn't matter. You see, there was something about Joe, because all that really mattered was being there for all of us and his family. That was important to him. There was never any other agenda. There was just Joe and his family helping all of us, all of the time.

There was something about Joe that gave you a feeling of consistency, stability, warmth, and calmness when he was around. Joe was the guy who was always there and who made you feel good. He was the guy you wanted to be next to when the game started. Many of us who coached with him and against him know that no matter whether Joe's team just won the championship football game, or just lost their tenth game in a row, Joe's reaction after the game was the exactly the same. He was happy just to be there, he was happy for the children, and he was happy for the parents. The same smile was always apparent any time, any day, no matter what the situation or status of events.

He coached so many children, of so many ages, in so many sports. Joe was a second father to many of the children in the community, picking them up or dropping them off for the practices and games. Many of the parents had to stand across the field or court from their children during games, but they knew that their child was standing with Joe for the next hour and that was more than OK. They knew that Joe would only have encouraging, kind, mild, and constructive words for their son or daughter on the sidelines. They knew he was positive and reassuring. You see, there was something about Joe that made everyone feel safe, both young and old.

Joe gave and gave and gave to so many for so long. Justifiably, his last moments were leaving the baseball field after coaching a practice before going off to be with us at a lacrosse game ten miles away. The turnout of love and consolation during the past week has been so very much apparent and needed not just for his beloved wife Marlene, and the three boys, but for all of us as well. The void left inside each of us will only heal as we continue to strive to get back out there on the field and do as Joe would do, be more like Joe.

You see, there was something very special about Joe that will be with all of us forever. Close your eyes, and imagine being at the game with your family on the weekend, and tell me what you see ... can you see him, can you see Joe smiling at you with his three sons ? He will always be there cheering all of us on, shining his light towards another glorious sunny Spring day. We love you Joe, we will miss you, but we will go on and do as you did, because there was something about you, Joe.

An educational fund has been established for Joe's three sons Danny, Brendan and Cory. For more information, please see the sports page.