Carmen Eletto, Port St. Lucie, FL and Lake George, NY, age 97, passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2016 surrounded by his family.

Born May 15th, 1919 in Yonkers, NY. Survived 3 bouts with pneumonia as a child and after the 3rd time he determined to get strong and started weightlifting. Stuck to it and rose to become NY City Metropolitan Weight Lifting Champion in his weight class. Graduated High School in 1937 and joined the US Army in 1941 believing that the US would be entering the conflict. Was sent to serve in the China/Burma/India Theater, where he earned the Bronze Combat Star amongst many other awards. He left the army in 1945 got a bit bored and re-enlisted in 1947. Met and married Cornelia(Lee) Gill in 1950. Put in for duty in Japan and planned on bringing his new wife and 1stson to live in Japan with him, but was diverted to Korea (to his complete surprise). Served extremely tough duty in the 1st Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company as Platoon Sergeant / Psychological Warfare. He was in an epic Korean War battle, known as Pork Chop Hill, him and all but one of his men miraculously survived. He was awarded 2 Combat Stars and the Meritorious Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Face of the Enemy, amongst many other awards during this tour. He came home and went to work in the animation field in Manhattan, NY. Had many interesting career experiences but his most noted job would be as Assistant Director for the famous Felix The Cat cartoon. Together Lee and Carmen created and raised 3 children. Designed and built a waterfront summer home in Southampton, Long Island. Eventually sold that and their main home in Williston Park to move the entire family to Lake George, NY in 1967 and to buy a motel in 1968. Simultaneously he got a job as Warren County Cartographer, leaving Lee to be mostly in charge of the motel. They sold that and retired in 1979, becoming Snow Birds to go back and forth between Stuart, FL and Lake George, NY. They continued this for about 37 years until just a few months ago they moved into a terrific assisted living facility in Port St. Lucie, FL. He finally succumbed to old age and a fall, breaking his hip. This put him in the Hospice House in Stuart, FL where he slipped quietly from this life to what comes next.

He is survived by his loving wife Cornelia (Lee) Eletto; sons, Thomas Eletto, Donald Eletto; daughter, Marianne Eletto; nieces, Barbara McDevitt, Denise Kampa; nephews, Joseph Eletto, Jeffrey Eletto, John Clements, Paul Kampa, Robbii Kampa; granddaughters, Audra Eletto, Kara Eletto, Shantel Eletto, Mary Cattabiani, Julie Cattabiani, Michele Crigliano; grandsons, Jacob Eletto, Colin Eletto, Fernando Martin; great-grandchildren, Austin Maniscalco, Cody Cirigliano, Kayla Cirigliano, Lane Bouton, Keira Bouton, and Vivien Martin.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary & Joseph Eletto; nieces, Paulette Kampa, Eileen Eletto; brothers and sisters, Rocky, Vincent, Marie and Peggy. 

Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 30, 2016 from 10 am to 12 noon at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave. (Rte 9 and/or Marion Ave.), Saratoga Springs, New York 12866.

Interment with military honors will be held at 1 pm on Friday, December 30, 2016 at the Gerald B.H. Solomon, Saratoga National Cemetery 200 Duell Rd. Schuylerville, NY.

In lieu of flowers donations in honor of Carmen can be made to, Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian St, Stuart, FL 34997. 

If you wish to express your online condolences or view the Obituary, please visit our website at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

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