Carmelo Cardillo

Carmelo “Carlo” Cardillo, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Milford, Pennsylvania.

He was born on September 12, 1939, in Porto Salvo, Catania, Sicily, where he spent his early years before immigrating to the United States in the 1960s. Carlo eventually settled in New York, proudly calling The Bronx his home for many years.

Carlo was predeceased by his beloved wife of 42 years, Claire, as well as by his parents, Leonardo and Carmelina. In 2009, Carlo and Claire retired to Milford, Pennsylvania, where they embraced a quieter life together, surrounded by the beauty of nature.

A dedicated and hardworking man, Carlo spent many years working as a maintenance worker and groundskeeper for the Bronx Zoo. He was known for his remarkable skill and craftsmanship and was often described as having “hands of gold,” particularly when it came to carpentry and masonry.

Carlo will be remembered as a tough, loving, and easygoing man who found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He loved hunting, camping, gardening, and traveling with family and friends in his RV. In his retirement years, he especially enjoyed relaxing on his porch, watching the deer pass by.

He is survived by his sister, Maria, and his brother, Salvatore; his loving children, Leonard and his late wife Suzanne, and Roseann and her husband Jim; and his grandchildren, Carl and his wife Deidre, Justin, Krista, Eric, Alyse, and Regina. He also leaves behind his great-grandson, Andie.

Carlo was also a loving stepfather to Joe and his wife Stacey and Greg and his wife Dominique; and a proud grandfather to Nick and his wife Stephanie, Thomas, Joseph, Steven, and Sophia, along with his great-grandsons, Theo and Gio.

Carlo will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Carlo’s name and memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.

https://alzfdn.org/donate

A viewing will be held from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at T.J. McGowan Sons Funeral Home, 71 N. Central Highway, Garnerville, NY 10923. followed by private cremation.