Obituary of John Carroll

Saratoga Springs - John Joseph "Jack" Carroll, Jr. died Sunday, February 27, 2011 at home, sweet, home. He was born in Albany, NY on August 1, 1932. Jack was the son of the late John J. Carroll, Sr. and Ethel (Cliker) Carroll. Upon his mother's death when Jack was two years old, his aunts, Margaret Carroll and Clara Carroll Kane became his dearest family, raising their "Jackie" until their deaths. Jack is survived by his wife Theresa Carroll, his five children, Michael J. Carroll, Stephanie Carroll-Kite, Wendy P. Carroll, Jacquelyn Perillat, and David S. Carroll, and his ten step-children, Robert J. Perillat, Susannah Perillat, Mary Eriksen, Mark Perillat, Peter Perillat, William Perillat, Elizabeth Perillat-Hillier, John Perillat, Daniel Perillat, and Kathleen Perillat. Jack was predeceased by his step-son Thomas Perillat. Additionally, Jack was proud to know and love his sixteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Jack attended the Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, graduating in 1949. Inducted in the CBA Hall of Fame in 1985, Jack was a life-long athlete, who lettered in baseball, basketball, and football while attending CBA. Jack went on to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts where he focused his athleticism on football, achieving widespread recognition for his accomplishments on the field. Jack graduated from Holy Cross in 1954 and was then drafted by both the Detroit Lions and the Montreal Allotuette professional football teams. Having started a family by that time, he chose to play for the Allouettes, as the weekly salary was $25.00 greater than what the Lions had offered. Later, Jack served in the United States Army. With the Korean War ending and troops returning home, Jack's athletic skills were once again called upon, as he played on the Army baseball team in Germany entertaining fellow soldiers. Jack's athletic career was a lifelong source of great pride to he and his family. Jack's passions evolved as time passed, first to downhill skiing and passing the puck with his son's hockey team. He then took up golf and it become a source of great joy and many friendships. Jack also enjoyed long walks up his much loved mountain while deer hunting. Eventually, televised sports, especially watching golf tournaments, became Jack's favorite activity, one that he shared with Theresa and many of his family members. Work was a very important part of Jack's life, his interaction with his co-workers and those he came in contact with during his years at Simmons Machine Tool, R.K. Freedman & Son, and Schiabo Hudson Scrap Metal greatly enhanced his life, providing many of his closest friendships. Theresa and the family would like to extend special thanks to Susannah and Kathleen Perillat for their willingness to provide the extraordinary care Jack needed to remain at home during his long illness. The entire family's willingness to pitch in served to grant Jack's greatest wish, that of staying in his home. Calling hours will be Saturday, March 5 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM at the Wilton Funeral Home, 395 Ballard Road, Wilton, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Crusader Athletic Fund of The College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610-2322. For directions, visit www.mevecfuneralhome.com.