Alan Jay Rainbow

It is with incredible sadness that we announce the death of Alan Jay Rainbow, 65, of Macedon, NY on April 18, 2025. Although cut short, Alan’s life was full of love, laughter, and fun. Alan was born in Syracuse, NY, to the late Alfred Sr. and Elizabeth Rainbow. He graduated from North Syracuse High School in 1977. While there, he followed in the footsteps of his older brother as a baseball pitcher, as well as a basketball and soccer player. He’d often brag to his family that he gave up home runs that still haven’t landed yet. To no one’s surprise, he was voted Class Clown. After graduation, he attended SUNY Oswego where he earned a degree in business. Alan had a highly successful career in commercial real estate in Syracuse and Rochester. He cut his teeth in the field at Conifer Realty before spending 22 years at The John Lynch Company, ultimately serving as Vice President of Commercial Real Estate. Most recently he was working for Pioneer Management Group. Al was liked and respected by colleagues and clients alike. Alan was one of the lucky ones; he loved his career (and co-workers) so much that he had no urgent desire to retire. On May 24, 1985, Alan was united in marriage to his forever “sweetie,” Rosemary DiCarlo. They soon welcomed two sons, completing the “Rainbow Clan.” If you were lucky enough to meet Al, you’d be greeted with a smile that immediately put you at ease and a hug that would make you feel welcomed and safe. Alan would most frequently be seen on the course at Beaver Meadows and then at Blue Heron Golf Club. He always found a reason to celebrate and had a knack for starting new traditions, such as the Fireball Open, an end of season tournament. When he was not playing golf, he loved sitting next to a fire with a smooth glass of whiskey, chatting and laughing until the sun came up. A lifelong music lover, Alan was never without his portable speaker, and he relished attending concerts with his friends and family. Much to his family’s chagrin, Alan liked to go against the grain. He passionately followed the Kansas City Royals and Indianapolis Colts, hated Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, and refused to buy fishing lures that actually worked. As much as his hobbies brought him happiness, the true joy of his life was his family. Alan said he knew he would marry Rosemary the first night they met, and even after decades of marriage he referred to her as “his bride.” In his view, no one else could compete with Rosie’s meatballs or chocolate chip cookies (but he wouldn’t refuse a taste test). Alan’s two sons and four grandsons lit up his eyes every time he spoke about them. Whether it be a golf trip with his boys in Ocean City, a hockey game on a Saturday morning, or playing on the living room carpet–if it meant time with his family, he was all in. In return, Alan was adored by his family. His permanent smile, upbeat attitude, and goofy sense of humor made even the most mundane things fun. For all these reasons, and a million more, he will be missed more than words can express. Alan is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 40 years, Rosemary (DiCarlo), sons and daughters-in-law, Matthew (Elizabeth) and Nicolas (Rebecca) Rainbow, grandsons, Benjamin, Brooks, Carter, and Brayden Rainbow, brother and sisters-in-law, Gary (Patty) Rainbow and Winona Rainbow, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David (Debbie) DiCarlo, many cherished nieces and nephews, loving extended family, invaluable life-long friends, and loyal pups, Dixie and Pita. He is predeceased by his parents, Alfred Sr. and Elizabeth Rainbow, brother, Alfred Rainbow, Jr., and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Michael and Vera DiCarlo. A funeral Mass in celebration of Alan’s life will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. in Transfiguration Church 740 Teall Ave. Syracuse. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Monday, April 28, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME 3401 Vickery Rd. (Corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY 13212. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Tee, a non-profit organization that offers golf instruction to youth, or to St. Patrick’s Church of Macedon, NY. In honor of Alan, find an extra reason to smile, give a hug, or play a round of golf.

Alan Jay Rainbow

July 28, 1959 - April 18, 2025