In Memory of Sumeet Rao

Obituary

Sumeet Rao, 54, passed away at Albany Medical Center on October 3rd, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was a devoted husband, father, beloved son, brother and friend to all in his presence.  His heart was filled with kindness and warmth - he touched countless lives.

Sumeet’s greatest love was his son, Ravi. From the early morning kicking of a soccer ball in the yard to coaching him on the field, Sumeet poured his love, pride, laughter, and quiet hopes into every moment they shared. That bond—filled with guidance, encouragement, and playful competition—was the heartbeat of his life.

He found joy in simple pleasures—the calm of the golf course, the thrill of friendly competition, the lively hum of conversation with friends and family. Sumeet had a gift for drawing people in, whether through a story, a joke, or simply his steady, attentive presence. He had a way of making people feel valued, appreciated, and truly understood, an extraordinary gift that left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.

Sumeet’s life was lived fully, with generosity, humor, and a deep love for the people and world around him. He leaves behind a son who carries forward his light, family and friends who will hold his memory close, and a community of hearts forever shaped by his warmth and care. He put everyone else before himself, from being the first person to give a hug when you are down, to being the one who had the laugh and smile that could cheer up an entire room.

A service to honor Sumeet’s life will be held at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford.  Visitation will be from 12pm to 3pm on 11 October followed by a brief memorial service. In his memory, we invite you to share your stories, your laughter, and the moments that keep him alive in all of us. May we carry forward his warmth, his humor, and his unwavering love.

He was predeceased by his father Ramakrishna Rao, older brother Sandeep Rao, and uncle Devadas Prabhu.

Sumeet leaves behind his beloved wife, Prathama Rao and son Ravi Rao.  He also leaves behind his mother Shobha Rao along with younger brother Sujeet Rao, wife Angie and their children Landon and Aliyah.  His Aunt Jyothi (Prabhu) Seetharam and cousins Anita (Prabhu) Hagen, her husband Vance and their children Devin, Alina & Ava and Nina (Prabhu) Sidoti, her husband Rick and son Ricky.

A special thanks to Randy Rockford and his family , whom he has had a lifelong friendship who stood by him like a brother, and Jehangir Kotwal, a close family friend.

In lieu of flowers we encourage you to make a donation to a youth sports organization or any other charity of your choice.  

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.