Dear Judy and family,
How can I describe Greg Caccavale? I guess the best phrase is "shock and awe". He always shocked the corporate political establishment and awed the men and women on the floor. I first met Greg over 35 years ago when he and I worked for the Alpha Beta Company. Soon afterwards he was assigned to the Bakery as a supervisor reporting to me. He was supposedly assigned to the Bakery in what was described by Tom King as a "finishing school". Typical Greg, he was always a work in progress! I described him once as a valvet fist in an iron glove. He told me he didn' t even own a glove. From time-to-time he would bring the kids in and he would insist that I do my impression of an elephant call followed by a rendition of Tarzan's yell (it wasn't all work and no play when Greg was around).This usually left the kids in "shock and awe". I sometimes wonder what he told the kids about me after they left? I resigned from Apha Beta in 1990 and went to work for HEB in Texas. Greg soon followed. He reported to me once again and managed several of the warehouses in San Antonio. I will never forget the first HEB evaluation I gave him. He had only been on the job a few months and had already made great strides in straightening out the facilities and making improvements in productivity. HEB had an unwritten rule that a new manager's
first evaluation was to center on areas of improvement. I gave Greg a good rating but lower than he expected or really deserved. He asked me what he had to do to get an Excellent rating in the year ahead. He carefully wrote down every word. The next year he showed up for his evaluation with all the documentation he deemed necessary to support his efforts. He didn't need the paperwork. He got his Excellent rating! After leaving HEB, we kept in touch as each of us went our separate ways. In the ensuing years we both worked, although at different times, for 99 Cent Stores and Unified Grocers. Each time the stories were similar. He upset the corporate political establishment while leaving them in awe of what he had accomplished by dramatically changing for the better each and every organization. He could always be counted on to tell the truth that many organizations didn't want to hear. That was one of the attributes I loved about him. I could always count on Greg to tell me the truth. He was always admired and yes, loved, by the teams that reported to him. He was loyal to them and they were fiercely loyal to him. In all my years of management I never had anyone more competent and resourceful reporting to me.
There was only one Greg Caccavale! He could always bring a smile to my face. Each time we spoke over the years he called me "Boss". Coming from Greg, I considered the title an honor. I could go on and on about the good times we had, the laughter and the tears we shared, and the trouble we got into. But that would be telling tales out of school. So many memories of someone who occupied so large a place in my life. There are few that I have worked with that I would consider a good friend. Greg heads the list! He was loyal and devoted and could always be counted on when things got ruff. A man passionate about his family, his friends, and his work. The last time we spoke he told me about the accomplishments of his children and how proud he was of each of them. They have a lot to be proud of and a big legacy to live up to! He loved his life and he loved Judy! There is so much more but let it suffice to say that I am certain that his passing has left a void in many hearts - mine included! To Judy, the family, and all those who knew and loved Greg; my sincere sympathy. My hope is that each of us will remember him for who and what he was and smile, yes even laugh, when we think about or hear the name: "Greg Caccavale".