Sachem has lost an icon. One of the last of his generation as an original Sachem administrator and coach, Samuel J. “Santo” Cario, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025, at the age of 95 in Florida.

Born on October 15, 1930, Cario lived a remarkable life built on integrity, discipline, and compassion. A proud United States Marine, he served his country with honor during the Korean conflict and carried the values of service, leadership, and resilience throughout his life.

After his military service, Cario pursued his passion for athletics at Cortland State Teachers College, where he was both a wrestler and a cross-country runner. His competitive spirit and sportsmanship were shaped early by legendary coach Sprig Gardner at Mepham High School, where he never lost a varsity match and won Long Island championships at 103 and 112 pounds.

“Sprig laid the foundation for many other coaches who started wrestling throughout Long Island,” Cario said during an interview with Sachem Report in 2023.

In 1955, after his service and graduation from Cortland, Cario was hired by the Sachem Central School District as its first wrestling coach and one of the earliest educators selected by the district’s founding superintendent, Walter C. Dunham.

“Wrestling was number one, and teaching was number two,” Cario recalled of that moment. Working closely with athletic director Dave Rothenberg, he helped establish Sachem’s wrestling program, literally building it from a small room at Gatelot Avenue into one of Long Island’s most respected teams.

Cario’s impact extended far beyond the mat. He taught math and history, served as a counselor, and later became principal of Wenonah Elementary School in Lake Grove. His leadership shaped generations of teachers and students during his tenure from 1971 until his retirement in 1986.

“What made it good,” he said, “was that I had an incredible staff. Their love of the kids and teaching made Wenonah a great community.”

READ MORE: Check out the full 2023 Sam Cario did with Sachem Report

Beyond his professional legacy, Cario was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He met his wife, Louisa Stahl, at Cortland, and together they built a life rooted in love, family, and purpose. The two retired to Englewood, Florida, where Cario enjoyed watercolor painting, family Scrabble games, and reflecting on a lifetime of service and accomplishment.

Cario is predeceased by his parents, Peter and Catherine Fuoco Cario, and his brother Peter (Lynne Cario). He is survived by his wife, Louisa; daughter Amy (Eddie Hughes); son John (Sandra Cario); and daughter Beth Cario; as well as grandchildren Jaime (Brad Lohr), Stephanie (Brian Flynn), John (Lauren Cario), Whitney, and Julianne; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom will carry on his legacy of courage, kindness, and dedication.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Sarasota National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a veterans’ organization, school scholarship fund, or charity of choice in Sam’s memory.

Cario’s story is woven into the fabric of Sachem’s history and into the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him – a Marine, coach, principal, and mentor whose life embodied leadership, loyalty, and love.

Cario was inducted into the Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. His career was guided by humility and a deep commitment to others.

“I was a good teacher, and a good coach, and I loved what I was doing at Sachem,” he said. “It was a special place and meant a lot.”