John Caruso, Jr. Mc Usn(Ret.) Obituary (1925

For those who knew him, there is no more that needs to be said. For everyone else...John Caruso, Jr. was born August 22, 1925 to John and Nancy (Oieni) Caruso in The Bronx. He was part of a large Sicilian family and a long tradition of Sunday mass and family dinners. John started his education at Chapman Tech graduating in 1943. He went on to pursue a lifetime of learning and service. He attended Harvard as a part of the Navy's V-12 Program. In 1945, he was enrolled by the Navy in Boston University School of Medicine to pursue his passion in healthcare, working toward his M.D. degree. John completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut before re-entering active duty as a medical officer. In 1952, he met Solveig Pearson with whom he immediately fell in love. He asked her out several times before she agreed. Ultimately, she gave in to John's charm, kindness and incredibly radiant smile. They married happily in 1954. As a practicing medical doctor, Dr. Caruso started his career in 1954 in private practice of Internal Medicine in New London, CT where he was also appointed Senior Staff Physician at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. It was in New London that Dr. Caruso started his family with Solveig P. Caruso, and they had 5 children, Lisa Marie, Cathy Anne, John Eric, Nancy Jean, and Edward Anthony. In 1964, Captain Caruso was recalled to active duty and assigned to the Medical Staff Submarine Medical Center Hospital at the Submarine Base, New London, CT. Shortly thereafter, he attended the U.S. Navy School of Submarine and Diving Medicine and completed assignments as the Submarine Medical Officer, USS Casimir Pulaski; Pre-Commission/ Commission Medical Officer, USS James K. Polk, Staff Medical Officer, Commander Submarine Squadron Ten; and Staff Medical Officer, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk. Dr. Caruso returned to school to pursue his graduate studies in an Occupational Medicine Residency at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. He earned a Master's degree in Public Health in 1970 and, in addition to his 1962 board certification (Internal Medicine), he became board certified in Occupational Medicine in 1971. Dr. John Caruso served at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as well as Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA as Medical Officer, Chief, and Senior Medical Officer. He was the Commanding Officer at the Navy Environmental Health Center in Norfolk, VA. The Carusos moved around the country, following the Captain's assignments which brought them from Connecticut, to Virginia, to Pennsylvania, to New Jersey out to California, back east to Virginia where he retired from service in 1981. The family settled in Yardley, PA and John worked at US Steel Fairless Works as Medical Director from 1981-1989. He later took a job at Princeton University in the Plasma Physics Laboratory for the dispensary at the cold fusion plant until his final retirement in 2000. He continued to care for his community and family long after his professional career was over. John and Solveig traveled the east coast and made the best of retirement as a couple, enjoying their children, grandchildren and finding friends wherever they went. Captain John Caruso's joy and modesty would never boast the many decorations he received in his time serving the United States of America. John was active military during three wars: WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He earned a World War II Victory Medal, National Defense with Bronze Stars, American Theatre of Operations, Naval Resource Medal and Meritorious Service Medal in addition to being one of the most beloved members of every crew. Outside of his military service and decoration, Dr. Caruso was an illustrious and loving father and family man. John was devoted to every aspect of his Catholic faith and brought the same loving attention to his family. He was by his wife's side throughout their 52 years of marriage and through her death in 2006. After her passing, John visited Solveig's grave faithfully every Wednesday and brought her a red rose to remind her of his love every week. After almost a century of life, Dr. Caruso is survived by his 5 children: Lisa Marie Caruso (Wayne Dilks, Jr), Cathy Lindsley, John Eric Caruso (Cheryl), Nancy van de Sande (Tom), Edward Caruso, 10 grandchildren: Eric and Tatham Dilks, Heather, Drew, Morgan Phillips, and Troy Lindsley, Michelle Pasternak (George), Jeff, Matt and Russell van de Sande and 6 great grandchildren: Alyssa, Kayla, Hayden, George, Jordan, John, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. Many thanks to all the caretakers who saw to Dr. Caruso's comfort and care until the end. A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 3rd at 1:45 p.m. at the Fitzgerald-Sommer Funeral Home 17 South Delaware Avenue, Yardley, PA. Burial will follow at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA. Visiting hours for family and friends will be Thursday 6-8 p.m. and Friday 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.