Obituary of Robert A. Caciopoli

Robert Allen Caciopoli, born March 9, 1938 to Evelyn G. (Robinson) Caciopoli and Salvatore Caciopoli, passed from this world on Sunday, July 23, 2023 surrounded by his beloved wife Edith (Lazaro Kennedy) Caciopoli and his loving family.

He was the oldest of five children, his brother Dominic Caciopoli and sister Theresa (Caciopoli) Corsi being previously deceased.

Robert was a “blue baby”, born with a congenital heart defect that resulted in his becoming the first open heart surgery patient at Yale New Haven Hospital. He went on to be a cross-country runner at Southern Connecticut Teaching College (now Southern CT State University) where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education. He earned his 6^th Year degree at Fairfield University.

“Mr. C”, as he was known to his students, taught English and Composition in the Bridgeport Public School District for over 38 years. Elias Howe, East Side Middle School, Dunbar, Central High School and The University School are some of the schools where he taught, including Adult Education. After retiring, he was a professor of ESL and Remedial English for 20 more years at Sacred Heart University, University of Bridgeport, the Upward Bound Program at Fairfield University and Housatonic Community College until the pandemic lockdown in March 2020.  Also known as “Coach” to many of his students, he coached the Catholic Youth Organization and intramural basketball teams, where he led them to Regional Championships.

Robert was a high-ranking member of the Knights of Columbus for many years. He was an avid Yankees fan and never missed the UConn Women’s and Men’s basketball teams. Devout in his faith, Robert attended Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Stratford where he was in the Diocesan choir and St. Andrew Parish where he was on the Board of Trustees and also in the choir.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife Edith of 45 years, his children Lisa Caciopoli, Robert S. Caciopoli, Laura Caciopoli and Victoria (Caciopoli) Angone; brother Joseph Caciopoli, sister Sally Caturano; 6 step-children, Michael Kennedy, Teresa Wilson & her husband Samuel Wilson Jr., Karen Kennedy, Mona Stephenson, JoAnn Kennedy and Edward Kennedy; 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 31 step-grandchildren who affectionately called him Poppa Bob and numerous nieces and nephews.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 12:00 noon at St. Andrew Church, 435 Anton St., Bridgeport.  Interment will follow in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Easton. Friends may visit the family at the church on Wednesday morning starting at 10:30 am -12:00 pm.