Written by Molly Duncan / November 3, 2026
Eastern District Spotlight: Fifty-Three Years and Two Stadiums, A Floorlayer Celebrates
A full-circle moment came in June for Local 276 member Joe Caito, who made history on his 92nd birthday.
As crews put the finishing touches on the new Highmark Stadium for the Buffalo Bills, Caito got down on his knees to lay carpet in the state-of-the-art facility. What makes it historic is that Caito also did flooring work at the Bills’ old home, Rich Stadium, just across the street, in 1973. He is the only person known to have worked on both stadiums.
Just as remarkable, Caito still works two days a week measuring materials for Heritage Contract Flooring, which arranged the birthday honor.
Caito said that more than 50 years ago, Rich Stadium was “100 percent better” than the stadium it replaced. “But this [new] place is so state-of-the-art. It’s amazing what they’ve done in here.”
“I just had to show ’em that I could still get down on my knees and get up. And I did!” said Caito.
The 92-year-old floorlayer planned on attending the Bills’ first regular-season game at Highmark in September.