TWA's great PR man dead at 80

Barfbag

Veteran
Oct 30, 2006
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Began his career as a Ramp Service Clerk, ( Ramp Rat ) John Caggiano," da Cagg " to those who knew him personally , seemed to always wear two hats, one as Station Manager at LGA, and the other secretly as TWA's " go to " man. When it came to landing a big name for a big TWA event, John got the call. He was Mr. New York, Mr. Hollywood, and everything in between, and still run one of TWA's busiest franchises, LGA.

John, could get you a seat ring side to see the Pope at the Vatican and then get the Pope to fly TWA, every time he visited the US. To visit DA Cagg's office this time of the year was a great treat, as he would start getting holiday cards and personal hand written notes, from around the world.

Everyone from the Janitors to Royalty would salute the Dapper Gagg.

John, was a 24/7 type of guy, who never got comfortable with new technology, he would always make that call personally, or handwrite every thank you or condolence note or card.

When TWA pushed him out John was quickly hired by the Port Authority of NYNJ to be their PR man, he was always the first to greet all heads of state, as hundreds waited on the tarmac.

When Cubas' Fidel Castro visited the UN last time, and his plane landed at JFK., it was John's warm smile that greeted him, as did many others before him.

John died on Nov. 01 in LAS. more... http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lvrj/obit...p;pid=135383619

JOHN CAGGIANO John A. Caggiano passed away peacefully Nov. 1, 2009. He is survived by his loving wife, of 35 years, Helga; sisters, Emily Borghese and Phyllis and husband, Marty Tedesco; brother, James and wife, Patricia; and 11 nieces and nephews. He served in the National Guard with the rank of sergeant. Later, he became a mess sergeant of Headquarters Company. John's career began as a warehouse attendant for J.C. Penney Co. until 1953. He then began a long 37-year career with TWA. He started as a ramp service agent and later rose to the position of station manager at LaGuardia Airport in New York. He went on to become the manager of Passenger Services at J.F.K. Airport, in N.Y. John was instrumental in the visit of Pope John XXIII to New York in 1979. He set up many of the coordination points at LaGuardia Airport. In 1987, he was the liaison from TWA to the Vatican for the visit of Pope John Paul II to the U.S.A. Upon retiring from TWA in 1990, John became the chief of protocol for the Port Authority of New York where he met with many dignitaries from around the world. He retired from that post in 1995 and came to Las Vegas with his wife, Helga. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Guardian Angel Cathedral, 336 Cathedral Way. Interment will follow the Mass in Palm Valley View Memorial Park, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association .