Louis A. Caruso

Louis A. Caruso

AGE: 89 • North Plainfield

Louis A. Caruso, 89, passed away at his home on Sunday, January 22, 2012. Mr. Caruso was a lifetime resident of North Plainfield, and is a WWII veteran, having served in the Navy from 1942 to 1946, and was a radio communications specialist during many flights over the Mediterranean, and North Africa. He spearheaded the effort to erect a monument to those residents from North Plainfield who served in WWII, helping to raise over $20,000 for the monument which now stands at the Public Library. He was an active member of the VFW Storr-Richie Post Number 506, and was a Past Commander and Adjuvant. Mr. Caruso was the owner and operator of Caruso Photography Studio, founded in 1947. He specialized in bridal photography, taking photos at more than 4000 weddings. He was also a member of the Professional Photographers Association of New Jersey. He collected photos he took of every President of the United States, beginning with Harry S. Truman to Barack Obama. Mr. Caruso was seen each year in the North Plainfield and Plainfield 4th of July parades, the South Plainfield Labor Day Parade, and the Somerville, and New York City St. Patrick's Day Parades, where he marched dressed as his childhood idol, Charlie Chaplin.

Mr. Caruso was predeceased by his sisters, Mary Caruso Raider and Camille Caruso Corona, and by his brothers, Albert, Michael, and Mario. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Rosemary Caruso (nee Dooley), and his four sons, Thomas of Long Valley, Robert and his wife Josie of Somerset, Louis and his wife Judy of Dayton, Ohio, and Kevin and his wife Christy of North Plainfield. He is also survived by his brother, Frank (and Dolores), his grandchildren Robert, Roseann, Gina, Rachel, Dana, Joseph and Nicole, his great-grandson, Cameron Caruso, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will start 9 a.m. on Thursday from the Scarpa Funeral Home, 22 Craig Place, North Plainfield, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph RC Church in North Plainfield. Burial will take place in Holy Redeemer Cemetery in South Plainfield. Visiting hours are Wednesday 2-4, and 7-9 p.m. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to either St. Joseph's Church in North Plainfield, the North Plainfield Rescue Squad, or VFW Storr-Richie Post 506 (phone 908-755-1796).