It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of “Saint” Germano Caggia. He departed this world and ascended to Heaven on June 7, 2026, at the age of 85. He leaves behind his beloved wife and three sons.
Germano’s life was a testament to faith, hard work, compassion, and service to others. Born in Venice, Italy, he learned the value of sacrifice and perseverance at an early age. As a young boy, after his father left the family of 4 brothers and their mother, Germano helped support his mother and family. He also assisted the priests and nuns of the local Catholic church. Germano did tile and cement work at the church and polished statues. He personally carried sand used in the making of roofing tiles, developing the strong work ethic that would define his life.
Seeking opportunity and a better future, Germano immigrated to the United States of America, where he built a successful career in construction. He proudly helped build many of the casinos and landmarks that transformed Atlantic City, including the flagship Atlantic Palace, Showboat Atlantic City, Tropicana Atlantic City, Bally’s Atlantic City, Atlantic City Hilton, The Claridge, and Golden Nugget Atlantic City.
Even after retirement he never truly stopped working. His mission was to help those in need, especially in communities like Vineland, Millville, and Hamilton. Germano became known as the “Red Robin Hood of Vineland.” He quietly gathered food, vegetables, clothing, and supplies from those who had extra. Germano and his sister, Asunto, from the church Villa Rosella, distributed these supplies to needy families. He worked alongside churches of all denominations, including Sacred Heart, as well as organizations such as the Salvation Army. He aided homeless shelters, food pantries, and programs supporting battered women and struggling families. Farm workers, people sleeping in the woods behind ShopRite and Walmart are the types of people Germano would help.
Following Hurricane Sandy, Germano intensified his efforts, helping countless people obtain food, clothing, and necessities. He brought these supplies to facilities for drug rehabilitation, battered women, homeless, and food banks. His generosity knew no boundaries of race, religion, or background. If someone was hungry, cold, lonely, or in need, Germano was there any time to help. With his family, we would pull up to one of these facilities and people would come out with their arms open to give hugs, and so grateful to receive bruised fruits and vegetables. Whether it was cold pizza, clothing, shoes, anything that people could need, he was number one at feeding the needy.
One of the defining moments of his life came after surviving a serious brain tumor operation and six-hour surgery. When he awoke after they took out a plum size purple tumor from the frontal lobe of his brain, his first concern was not for himself but for others. His first words were, “I’ve got to help the poor and feed the poor.” From that day forward, he continued his mission with even greater determination.
For decades, Germano organized food collections and deliveries, often directing family members to pick up donations and deliver them to families in need throughout Millville, Vineland, and surrounding communities. Until just a few years ago, he remained actively involved in helping the homeless, the less fortunate, seniors, veterans, and struggling families.
Germano never sought recognition, wealth, or praise. His greatest joy came from helping others. He used his retirement, his resources, and his time to improve the lives of those around him. He believed that every person deserved dignity, compassion, and a helping hand.
His family hopes that Germano’s legacy will inspire others to continue helping their neighbors through food banks, churches, shelters, and charitable organizations. They hope that others will create systems like he did and use volunteers to help distribute food that just gets thrown out daily if there’s no one to bring the food to organizations that need it. He helped change laws about school violence. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations of food, clothing, or support to local charities in the surrounding communities where he lived.
His family will remember Germano as the Red Robin Hood of New Jersey. He will be remembered as a loving father, devoted friend, faithful servant of God, and one of the kindest gentlemen to ever walk through our community. His legacy lives on in every life he touched, every family he helped feed, and every act of kindness inspired by his example.
During this difficult time, the family asks for prayers for his whole family and the communities he served and encourages everyone to honor Germano Caggia’s memory by helping someone in need.
“Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me.” is an expression he would cite.
Rest in peace Saint Germano Caggia. Your work here is done, but your legacy of compassion will live on forever. Enjoy the butterflies and clouds in heaven and remember your time was well spent on planet Earth. We all love you and appreciate you now and forever. You have shown us what a real dad should be like and now we will follow in your footsteps, be compassionate and help those in need. You and your legacy will never be forgotten.