Carla Elaine Fako

Carla Elaine Fako, age 87, of Binghamton, NY,  went to be with her Heavenly Father on October 29, 2021, surrounded by her loving family in Wake Forest, NC after a four-year illness with lung cancer.

Carla was born in Binghamton, NY on May 19, 1934. She attended Ithaca College School of Music, where she was a member of  Kappa Gamma Iota and met her husband, John.

Carla taught elementary school music in the Chenango Valley School District, played piano for several Rotarians over 37 years and taught piano lessons to countless students in her home for over 25 years.

Carla's real love of music was never more apparant than her 61 years of dedication as the Director of Music Ministry at her home church, Chenango Bridge United Methodist Church.  Carla worshipped there with her grandparents, parents, as well as her own family was baptized and married there.

Carla once composed a letter for one of her many faith journeys titled "This is My Church".  In it, she stated  that God‘s plan for her started as just a simple substitute organist one Sunday for worship at the age of 25 in 1959.

From that day on, Chenango Bridge United Methodist Church became her second home. You could always find her in her choir room which was dedicated to her on her 50th anniversary as music and choir director. She was always practicing for Sunday worship, planning holiday cantatas, directing choir practice, ringing bells or playing for both joyful as well as solemn occasions.

Carla will be remembered as a loving and kind member in her Chenango Bridge community.  She was  beautiful inside and out, always dressed to impress, with a smile on her face and a bag of music books by her side.

Carla was predeceased  by her parents, Carlton and Marjorie Thompson of Hillcrest, NY, sister Trenna and brother-in-law Jack Najarian of Greene, NY and sister Margie Waddell of Buffalo, NY.

Carla is survived by her dedicated and loving husband of 65 years, John W. Fako, of Binghamton, NY, son Jeffrey (Jane) Fako of Clayton NC, son Erik (Amy) Fako of Raleigh, NC and daughter Jennifer (Ron) McKaskel of Wake Forest, NC.

She is also survived by her six loving grandchildren, Casey and Cooper McKaskel of  Wake Forest, NC, Katie, Zach and Sarah Fako of Clayton, NC and Mason Fako of Raleigh, NC.

A private family memorial will be held in Wake Forest, NC.

In memory of Carla, contibutions can be made to:

Chenango Bridge United Methodist Church

740 River Road

Binghamton, NY 13901

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