Obituary of Sammy Cacciatore

S. Sammy Cacciatore peacefully passed away at Victoria Landing Memory Care on November 22, 2023 with family by his side. Sammy was a lifetime Floridian born in Tampa on August 2, 1942. His early years were spent mostly in Tampa and Tarpon Springs until the family moved to Orlando where he spent the remainder of his childhood. After attending Boone High School he attended Orlando Junior College where he met his future wife, Carolyn Michels. They both then attended Stetson University and married on August 10, 1963 shortly before he began law school at Stetson University College of Law. Their daughter, Elaine, was born in 1966, followed by their son, Sam, in 1968.

Sammy graduated from Stetson undergrad and Stetson Law on a combination degree program. After a year in the Public Defender’s office he moved to Brevard County in 1967 to join James H. (Booty) Nance, Attorney. At the age of 30 he argued in the Florida Supreme Court for comparative negligence winning what would change state law with most states following suit. He served on the tobacco team of Florida lawyers. He was a very respected and accomplished lawyer both for his contributions to law and his high ethical standards. He served on the Board of Governors of the Florida Bar, served as president of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, and served as president of the Central Florida Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates to name a few. He served on many other boards including Central Catholic High School, Stetson University, and Stetson College of Law where he provided scholarships at both universities. He was a past commodore of the Eau Gallie Yacht Club.

He was a man of great faith and has been a long time parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.

Sammy enjoyed life and generously shared it with family and friends. After moving to Melbourne he came to love the water and everything it had to offer. Along with his love for practicing law, he enjoyed all types of boating, fishing, scuba diving, beach walking, and his many cruises through the Bahamas and the Caribbean on his boats with his family. He enjoyed extensive world travels. He was also a huge fan of motorsport.

He is predeceased by his parents, Sam and Margarita Garcia Cacciatore, and his four siblings, Daniel Cacciatore, Dave Cacciatore, JoAnn Cacciatore Reali, and Bryan Alderman.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years Carolyn Michels Cacciatore, his daughter, Elaine Cacciatore Olinde (Jay), Sammy Cacciatore, and his seven grandchildren, Jack Olinde, Maddison Cacciatore-Straus (Kyle), Nicholas Olinde (Melissa), Claire Cacciatore, Hunter Olinde, Matthew Olinde, and Chas Cacciatore.

Visitation will be held at Holy Name of Jesus on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 10:30 am and Mass to follow at 11:00 am.