Sam R. Caruana

AUBURN - Sam R. Caruana, 78, of 134 Standart Ave., died at home Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004, while in the company of his loving family.

He was the son of the late Alphonso and Carmella Caruana. He was a life resident of Auburn and a communicant of St. Mary's Church. Sam was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U. S. Navy in the South Pacific. Upon retiring, after 35 years of service, from the John Hancock Insurance Company in 1979, Sam founded the Aries Talent Agency, that he operated until 1998. He was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Carnicelli-Indelicato Post Senior Purple Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps. Sam was an avid football fan of the NFL's Washington Redskins. He was an accomplished organist and this loving husband, father and grandfather loved nothing more than to bake and cook his favorite recipes for his beloved family.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Dagnesi Caruana of Auburn; one son, Ronald and his wife, Susan of Fla.; one daughter, Cynthia Blair and her husband, Blair of Solvay; a sister, Rosalie Rannings of Ore. and five grandchildren, Danielle Caruana, Tiffany and Jaimeanne Squires, Michael and Christopher Sweeney. He was predeceased by a sister, Mary Bove.

Friends are invited to join the family for a Mass of Christian burial to be offered at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Church with the Rev. Frank Lioi officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery where full military honors will be presented. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Cheche Funeral Home.