John J. Ciervo Sr.

John J. Ciervo, Sr., 83, died Monday at Ellis Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Schenectady on March 22, 1925, the son of the late Frank and Concetta (Cappello) Ciervo. Mr. Ciervo received undergraduate degrees in philosophy from St. Andrews College and in classical languages from Siena College. He earned a master's degree in theology from Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1946 to 1947. From 1949 to 1963, he was employed at John R. Rudd Pontiac in Schenectady, serving as sales manager from 1957 to 1963. During that time, he also clerked for the bar exam at the Schenectady law firm of Cerrito, Clayman and Mead, and was admitted to the bar in 1963. He entered into the private practice of law with then state Assemblyman Joseph Eagan in 1963, at that time he also served as deputy legislative counsel to Assembly Speaker Joseph Carlino. Upon Eagan's death, Ciervo continued the practice of law as a sole practitioner until he retired in 2006. From 1968 to 1980, he served as confidential law clerk to New York State Supreme Court Justice D. Vincent Cerrito of Schenectady, while maintaining a private law practice. In 1980 he was appointed Schenectady County's first arbitration commissioner, a position he held until 1985. He was a past member of the Schenectady County and New York State Bar Associations, and the Sons of Italy. He was also a founding member of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Parish Council. Ciervo was past president of the St. Andrew's College Alumni Association and served on the school's board of trustees from 1954 to 1959. Survivors include his beloved wife of 59 years, Emily Mottolo Ciervo; loving children, Connie and Angela of Schenectady, Frank J. and his wife, Michele of Niskayuna, and John J. Jr. of Boston, MA; caring sister, Rose M. Ciervo of Schenectady; dear sister-in-law, Carmella Ciervo, and his much beloved granddaughter, Courtney Anne Ciervo; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by a sister, Ann Ciervo, and brothers, Lawrence, Dominick, Pat, and Sam. Funeral service at the DeLegge Funeral Home, 1346 Chrisler Ave., Friday at 8:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Relatives and friends are invited to attend and may also call at the funeral home Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment in St. John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School, 2600 Albany St., Schenectady, NY 12304.