Colonel John "Jack" Caruso

Colonel John "Jack" Caruso, age 82, of Salamanca, New York died early Friday morning, October 25, 2013 at the Bradford Manor, Bradford Pennsylvania.

Born July 14, 1931 in Salamanca, New York, he was the son of the late Joseph and Catherine Quattrone Caruso. He was married in St. Bonaventure Chapel on June 25, 1955 to the former Alice Bishop, who survives.

He was Valedictorian of his Salamanca High School Class, he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Bonaventure University and earned his Master Degree from Penn State University.

Col. Caruso was commissioned as a Field Artillery Second Lieutenant in 1953 serving with 135th Field Artillery, 37th Infantry Division. He earned his jump wings in March of 1954 and held numerous positions in the 82nd Airborne Division's 456 Field Artillery. In June of 1957, he was assigned to the Nuclear Weapons Employment Division where he had served as an instructor for two years. He also served as a Green Beret and later as an adviser to the South Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He eventually became an instructor at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces Department of Resource Management and later served as the Dean of Students and Administration/Deputy Commandant retiring from active duty on July 31, 1983.

He was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Three Awards), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and two Overseas Service Bars.

After his retirement from the service, he had worked as the Administrative Chief for Bechtel Corporation in Gaithersburg, Maryland and Palm Beach, Florida.

He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, and a former member of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535.

Surviving besides his wife are: 1 daughter, Teresa Evans, Salamanca, New York; 2 sons, Michael Caruso, Amherst, New York and John Caruso, Corvallis, Oregon; 1 granddaughter, Ashley Evans, Kenmore, New York; 1 brother, Daniel (Nancy) Caruso, Gouveneur ,New York; several nieces and nephews.

Col. Caruso was predeceased by 2 brothers, Vincent Caruso and Joseph Caruso and a sister, Nancy Caruso.

Friends may call at the O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc. Funeral Home 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Tuesday from 10 – 11 a.m. when a prayer service will be held followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 in Our Lady of Peace Parish with Rev. Patrick Melfi, Pastor, as celebrant.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, New York.

Full Military Honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and Veterans of Foreign Wars John Ahrens Post 5296.

E-condolence may be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.