Obituary of Michael A. DiCarlo

Jimi Hendrix once said, "I'm the one who has to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to" and that is exactly what Michael DiCarlo did. Mike was born on December 21, 1948 on the winter solstice. He was the eldest son of the late Michael and Jean DiCarlo. He was affectionately known as Mike, Brother, Dad, Gandpa, Old Dude, and Daddy D. Mike is survived by his wife Margaret of 39 years, his children Julia, Mary-Jo, Michael, and Elida, their spouses, his beloved grandchildren; Bryanna, Samantha, Jessica, Michael, Salko, Stephen, Scarlett, and Penelope, his siblings, and many friends. Mike grew up in Pittsburgh and loved the Steelers, music, fishing, boating, and boxing. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and left Pittsburgh for Boot Camp in March of 1966. He served in the First Marine Air Wing at DaNang Air Force Base in Vietnam where he earned several medals and suffered injuries which left him fully disabled. He returned home to Pittsburgh in July 1969. Unable to find employment due to closures in the steel mills, he left Pittsburgh at the suggestion of a fellow veteran and moved to Staten Island NY where he found work as a Plant Engineer. He was often a volunteer, and was a member of the Elks Lodge and VFW. He remained in Staten Island until 1985 when he moved with his family to Kauneonga Lake, NY and worked at Sullivan County Correctional Facility, and at the Sullivan Diagnostic Treatment Center. He learned the art of stained glass and created artwork for his home, family, and many friends. He was a member of the Lions Club, the VFW, and the Vietnam Veterans of America. Mike died on January 13, 2019 at the age of 70, after a four year battle with cancer at home surrounded by his loving wife and family, but his larger-than-life persona and trademark stubbornness will not be forgotten. Donations in Michael's name can be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7pm on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at Colonial-Ramsay Funeral Home, 3534 State Route 55, Kauneonga Lake, NY 12749. A graveside service will be held at 11am on Friday, January 18, 2019 at Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery, Sunset Lake Road, Liberty, NY 12754 with full military honors. Arrangements under the care of Colonial-Ramsay Funeral Home, for further information call 845-583-5445 or visit www.colonialramsaysfuneralhome.com