John T. Cafagna, 78, a former Catholic school principal in Blackwood, died Oct. 13.
Born July 29, 1945, he was a graduate of Gloucester Catholic High School and Rutgers University.
After a career with Bell Telephone and Cigna, Cafagna transitioned to education. He earned a master’s degree in education from Seton Hall University, South Orange, before beginning as principal at Saint Agnes Catholic School, Blackwood, in 1995.
Fifteen years later, when the school merged with Saint Jude School to become Our Lady of Hope Regional, Cafagna became vice principal, serving from 2008-2018, and then principal, from 2018 until his retirement in 2019.
Calling the former principal “a pillar of the Saint Agnes and Our Lady of Hope school communities,” Dr. Bill Watson, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Camden, remembered an individual who “exuded a quiet strength in his work that brought calm and assurance to those he served.”
“We are saddened by the news of his passing but grateful that he shared his gifts in ministry to Catholic schools and influenced the lives of so many children and families,” he said.
Lisa Crowley, a middle school science teacher at Our Lady of Hope Regional School, worked with Cafagna for nine years. She remembered “a kind-hearted soul” who “was very family-oriented, and treated the staff and students like family, too.”
In announcing his death, Cafagna’s family recalled “his warm smile, generous spirit and unwavering love [that made] him a pillar of strength for his family and a guiding light for his community.”
He was a devoted husband to Patricia (nee Turse), a nurturing father to Tricia (Sean) and John (Stacey), a cherished grandfather to Emmett, Addison and Rocco, adored brother to Ronnie and Mickey, and a dear friend to many.
A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 23 at Christ the King Church, 200 Windsor Ave., Haddonfield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to his favorite organization, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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