Ellard F Carao

Rotterdam – Ellard “El” Carao, passed peacefully on Thursday, February 9th, 2023 at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Born in Oakland, California, the son of the late John and Lorraine Carao. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his sister Donna Collins, of California. Ellard was a graduate of Mont Pleasant High School, and soon after served in the Air Force from 1957-1959. He was employed as a Warehouse Supervisor with Sam’s Club in Guilderland. He was the beloved husband of Patricia Saplin Carao; loving father of Sheri (Robert) DeLuke, of Ballston Lake, and Susan (Dave) Ziobrowski of Ballston Lake; proud grandfather of Brittany, Ashley, Justin and Nicholas; he is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A funeral service will be held Thursday morning, 10 am at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave. in Rotterdam. A burial service will immediately follow at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna, followed by military honors for Ellard. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ellard’s memory to Catholic Charities, 1400 Dunnsville Rd. G, Schenectady, NY 12306 or to the Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation at www.ahckids.org.