Domenico Rao

CHARLTON - Domenico Salvatore Rao, 99, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2026, at Saratoga Hospital with his loving family by his side.

Domenico was born on September 29, 1926 to the late Carmelo and Domenica (Torre) Rao, in Castroreale, Messina, Sicilia, Italia.

In 1953 Domenico married Anna Maria Fazio, with whom he shared the rest of his life, until her passing in 2015. He moved to the U.S. in 1969 with his wife and two children, where he settled and began his life in Colonie, N.Y.

Domenico worked as an autobody repair technician at Rao’s Autobody, Latham Ford and Orange Motors. His passion in life was his family, especially his grandchildren whom he helped raise. After picking them up from St. Paul’s Elementary school, his routine was to take them to McDonald’s on Mondays (burger day), and on Tuesdays to Dunkin Donuts (Dunkin’ day). He did not miss any of their events, including school plays, soccer games, softball games, rugby, tennis and track. He loved going on family vacations to Cape Cod, Chincoteague, Narragansett, Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, Puerto Rico, Disney World, and Cayman Islands, where he got to spend time with children and grandchildren, sitting around playing card and board games, eating family meals together, and hanging out at the beach. He also loved gardening and raised some wonderful heirloom tomatoes with seeds brought from Sicily, and every vegetable imaginable. His garden was impeccable. His other passion was fishing. He spent many weekends at local streams with his son and friend Carmen Mirabile, fishing for trout and bass.

He is predeceased by his siblings, Carmelo, Giuseppe, and Rosa. He is survived by his children, Marisa and Carmelo Charles; his grandchildren, Melissa (Colasessano), Kristina, and Gabriella, and many nieces and nephews in Italy, Arizona and California.

Calling hours will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, April 27, 2026 at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie. A funeral will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday at the funeral home. Committal will follow at Memory Gardens.