John J "Poncho" Carao

John “Poncho” Carao, formerly of Rotterdam Street in Rotterdam, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at the Eddy Memorial Care Center in Troy, he was 101. Born in Whitehall, NY, John was the son of the late Anthony and Vera Carao. He moved to Rotterdam in 1956 and was employed for many years as a Railroad Engineer at General Electric retiring in 1981. He was a life member of the Rotterdam Elks Lodge #2157, a lifetime member of the DAV post #88 in Rotterdam and the American Legion Post #1091. John was also active in community service and joined the Rotterdam Dist. #6 Volunteer Fire Department in 1956. In addition to his parents, John is also predeceased by his beloved wife, Lorraine Pistoresi Carao, who died in 1995, his siblings; Rose Marvilga, Mary Riggi, Joseph Carao, Fred Carao and Josephine Jordan. He is survived by his son Ellard (Patricia) Carao of Rotterdam, two granddaughters; Sheri (Rob) DeLuke of Ballston Lake and Susan (Dave) Ziobrowski, also of Ballston Lake, four great grandchildren; Brittany DeLuke, Ashley DeLuke, Justin Ziobrowski and Nicholas Ziobrowski as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be private. He will be laid to rest alongside his wife, with military honors, at St’s Cyril & Method Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at demarcostonefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory, to one of the following charities: St Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or to Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation at www.ahckids.org.