Lous Cario, A Merrick Icon, Passed away at 59

"That'll be ten dollaarsss and forty six cents," he'd say in voice that could only be described as a radio show host, as I'd pull together the dollars and cents from my wallet at the Seven Eleven on Merrick Ave in Merrick, New York. The prices would vary, but my interactions with Louis Cario would always be the same, comforting. My first interaction with him would be circa 1999 when he worked at The Cows Corner, now Starbucks. My friend and I had been collecting Spice Girls Lollipops and he generously and shockingly gave us the new display box! Little me was so stoked!

Through the years, my friends and I would get to know him. His hardcore fandom for Joan Jet. How he spent his money on charity auctions and met Eliza Dushku and Alisa Milano through his efforts. He worked at Seven Eleven and at the airport. He loved to play poker. At Seven Eleven he always had something playing on his laptop. Most recent in my memory he was watching, "The Play that goes Wrong." He had a dog he loved. He was persistent in his garden, and 2 seasons ago gave me tomato plants (which he pointed out that I planted too close). When I shared that my daughter had autism and I was worried about taking her to a pumpkin patch, he gifted me Cinderella pumpkins from his garden and offered for us to come over. Slightly estranged from his family, however he would always seem happy when they came to visit him. I know he had brothers and one lived in the Philippines with his wife. He'd sigh and tell me of their upcoming visits, but would seem upbeat and joyous when they were in town.

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Many would describe him as eccentric as his personality was such a staple in the North Merrick Community. Sometimes my social battery would be depleted, and he would just know that I wasn't up for conversation. Other times we would discuss politics or news. He was a gentle soul. I always looked forward to my Seven Eleven trips. Soon, our conversation leaked into social media private messages.

On Feb 14, 2026 he messaged me he was in the hospital and they found a lump in his colon they would have to remove. On Feb 15th he informed me he had stage 4 cancer that had spread to his spine. He wasn't sure of doing chemo but ultimately decided it was best. He was being taken care of by his girlfriend Meghan. In March he felt very positive and hopeful and on March 11th had his first chemo treatment. In May his brothers visited and he was overjoyed; he was, "hopeful. I'll bounce back healthwise." He messaged about possibly having a long engagement with his girlfriend. His birthday was June 11th. On June 19th I shared screenshots with him from a Bellmore/Merrick uncensored group on Facebook that he was not a part of. So many people were concerned with where he had been and if he was ok.

Summer came and went fast. On Aug 18th, I saw his girlfriend had posted that he had passed. I messaged her and there was not going to be a funeral. Possibly a memorial. I kept Googling him. No obituary.

He was and is a special man who deserves to be immortalized. An icon in Merrick, NY. A good person. Someone I'll miss dearly.

Louis Cario passed away from Cancer at age 59. He leaves behind an entire community he impacted. He is deeply missed.