Pastor Daniel M. Cacciola, 76, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on Saturday (January 17, 2026) at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa. following a brief illness.
Mr. Cacciola was born on March 8, 1949 in Binghamton to Joseph and Carmella (Vitanza) Cacciola. He was a 1967 graduate of Susquehanna Valley High School in Conklin. He earned an Associates of Science from Broom Community College in Police Science and in 1983 completed his ministry studies from Practical Bible Training School in Johnson City. Dan served in the United States Air Force with the military police as a dog handler from 1968 to 1971. On March 25, 1972, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Binghamton, he married Nancy L. Herring, who survives.
Dan served as a sergeant in the Broom County Sheriff’s Department from 1973 to 1983. After receiving the Lord’s call to be a missionary in Africa, he and Nancy began deputation to raise the necessary support to serve in Niger, West Africa. God redirected them through a family medical situation that led them to minister in the Ivory Coast through 1993. Through another family medical situation, Dan left the missionary field to work as a federal police officer in Buffalo where he utilized his military training to serve in the Veteran Administration as a security and police officer.
Dan relocated to Lebanon, Pa. where they became members of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Denver, Pa. Upon retirement in 2004, he still felt drawn to ministry, Dan answered that call and was commissioned by his church to move to Wellsville where he started Anchor Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife of 53 years, Dan is survived by three children, Theresa (Alex) Zolotarev of Waxhaw, N.C., Gregory Joseph and Elizabeth Cacciola of Wellsville and Amy and Timothy Cline of Wellsville; ten grandchildren, Nicholas Zolotarev, Karina Zolotarev, Andre Zolotarev, Luke Zolotarev, Marilee Cacciola, Ryan Cacciola, Jonathan Cacciola, Titus Cline, Lydia Cline and Micah Cline; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Agatino “Joe” (Agnes “Aggie”) Cacciola and a sister, Ann (Ernest) Gaeta.
Dan loved the Lord with all his heart and was a faithful servant for Christ. He was a wonderful husband who enjoyed spending time with his wife and best friend. Together they loved to travel when the opportunity presented itself. Language school in France, missionary service in Africa, China for adoption and vacation travels in Quebec and Switzerland were some of their favorite memories. As a father and grandfather, he took seriously his role in training and nurturing his children and grandchildren to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. As a pastor he cared deeply for his flock which included not only Anchor Baptist Church but also Manor Hills Assisted Living, Highland Day Care and as chaplain for Jones Memorial Hospital, all in Wellsville.
Dan was a mixture of strong, steady, loving, warm, dependable, friendly and gentle. He loved to help people and loved to do so behind the curtain, letting others receive the credit.
There will be a time of visitation on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. at Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Wellsville/Scio. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home immediately following the visitation with Rev. Timothy McVey of the Black Creek Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellsville with full military honors. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com.
Memorial contributions in Dan’s name may be made to Anchor Baptist Church, 83 Chamberlain St., Wellsville, NY 14895 or Black Creek Baptist Church Radio Ministry, 8578 NY-305, Belfast, NY 14711 or Golden Land Baptist Mission, Lighthouse Baptist Church, 209 Gardner Road, Horseheads, NY 14845. © 2026 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
