Father, husband, businessman, fisherman, veteran … Charles A. Gaetano could go by a lot of names. But for a hard-working and straightforward man like Gaetano, Mr. G is the name that those close to him affectionately use.
Gaetano, a lifetime resident of Utica and Proctor High School graduate, served in the Navy during World War II as a Navy Seabee. In 1946 he married Cornelia (Connie) Nelson and the two started their family of six: William, Brian, Charles, Mary, Colleen, and Greg.
By the mid-1950’s, Gaetano was a successful and highly-regarded masonry contractor operating a small crew in Utica. Connie continued to serve as his right hand as the scope of his projects significantly broadened and the staff was expanded to accommodate a growing need for quality building and contracting services. As a result, in 1970 the Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corporation was soon established.
Today, Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corporation (Gaetano Construction) is a second-generation, full-service general contracting and design-build corporation. Specializing in concrete, masonry, and carpentry work, Gaetano Construction has completed projects for clients in the commercial, industrial, healthcare and multi-residential housing markets, as well as government agencies. Current annual sales exceed $50 million.
An Emeritus member of the former Utica College Foundation Board, Gaetano has received numerous honors from Utica College, including the naming of its multi-purpose stadium in 2002 and an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2004. At Homecoming 2007, Charlie was named an Honorary Alumnus by the National Alumni Council.
In the Fall of 2012, Utica College announced the naming of Connie Gaetano Plaza at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.
He started the Charles A. Gaetano Construction Management Scholarship at UC in 1995. He has personally made gifts toward the Gaetano Scholarship, the Annual Fund, and several other scholarships. In 1998, he donated 110 acres of land with waterfront at White Lake to UC.
Gaetano has also remained committed to his community, including negotiating with General Electric to donate the Kent Street building to the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI). Gaetano has been involved with the CABVI for more than 40 years, serving five of those years as President, and is a Director Emeritus.
