Guste Frank "Gus" Carboun Sr.

Guste Carboun Obituary

Carboun, Guste "Gus" Frank Sr.
born June 4, 1935 in New York City, NY to the late Fotis and Elene Carboun. Gus married Matilda A. Casale in Yonkers, NY on Dec. 19, 1959. While raising their family in Westchester County, NY he was very active in the Greek Hellenic Republican Club; Hastings Rising Star Lodge # 450 F&AM in Yonkers, NY ( and later became a life member) and the DAV. He was a cubmaster of Pack 126 and later an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 164 both in Yorktown Hgts., NY. Gus also coached Little League baseball and football. Upon retiring from NY State Law Enforcement in 1977 he and his family moved to Prescott, AZ where he became a member of the Moose Lodge. He was a life member of the American Legion; and a member of El Zariba Shrine in Phoenix. Gus is survived by his former wife and friend Matilda "Tillie" Carboun; sons Gus F. (Tracey) Carboun, Jr., John M. (Karen) Carboun; sister Irene (Vasilios) Barous of Astoria (Queens) NY; grandchildren Kaitlyn, Kimberly, Nichole, Shantell, John M. Carboun II, and Mikaela; great grandchildren Breilynn and Lailah-Nichole. Funeral Service Thurs. Dec. 4, 2008 10:00 A.M. at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church 901 W. Erie St. Chandler. Visitation Wed. from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at The Chapel of Bueler Mortuary 14 W. Hulet Dr. Chandler, AZ. Interment and Military Honors 12:30 P.M. at National Memorial Cemetery of AZ 23029 N. Cavecreek Rd. Phx., AZ.

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Published by The Arizona Republic on Dec. 2, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Guste Carboun

1 Entry

John Vasilios Barous

December 7, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time .
As we mourn the loss we also celebrate the life.

For some time I guess we were all expecting this day to
happen yet the reality is not any easier.

It has been extremely difficult for me here alone as I reflect on
Uncle Gus,, his life and my memories of him and as a result of him.

I am not sure if Uncle Gus was aware of the similarities
we actually have at this time of my life...

Unfortunately I understand the reality of losing a mother
at (near) childbirth ... Today in my daughter Helena I see in part the void that she has without her mother ..
I only imagine what Gus and my mother endured as children...

For most of us myself included who could imagine the life,
problems challenges and choices our Grandfather actually
faced ... Today I know in some small part what might have
been in the mind of your Paternal Grandfather each day ..

He (our Grandfather Carboun) did not have the language,
lived through times worse than the plight we have today
in the Great Depression and had no family to help him in any way..

I am blessed with TWO loving families that are part of Helena's
life, I have the language and better economics on my side and
yet it has not been easy ..
I can only imagine our Grandfather Carboun's life.

None of us knew our Grandparents Carboun and in my case
I had only seen my father parents once in my life..

As an homage to both sets of Grandmother who's names were derived
from Helena I had named my little girl well before her miracle birth.
I do wish that Uncle Gus could have seen the miracle and innocence
of my Helena who is an living homage to his mother.

For sure the happiest thing in Gus (Sr.) Carboun's life was to be a part
of what would be all his grandchildren life for all of 10 years.
I can see him as "PA GUS" loving and enjoying all of his
grandchildren ..

In some way Uncle Gus filled some of the void I had by not having
grandparents... I will always remember this and will
speak of it more later.

I know he was proud of both you boys , as children then men
following him into public service and especially as FATHERS.

He tried in many ways to provide in life many of the experiences
that he did not have in childhood - Thus Boy scouts , Baseball ,
Football etc........

Uncle Gus faced death many times yet he in some way through the
strength of his spirit survived all these 73 years.

When my Helena was born as I was in Brazil nearly FOUR years
ago now we had news of Gus's health and the predictions of the doctors.
As we know he was stubborn and even with all odds against him
he refused to give up ..

I know these times are near impossible to describe in emotions or words
but here are just a few of the fond memories I have of my
"Uncle Gus" just a few:

The Windham House resort New York -
I guess he had introduced it to us.

I remember baseball games at Yankee Stadium even before you
both might remember -- sitting in the upper decks under the famous
facade and not even as kids being able to say Joe Pepitone's name.

I remember the bowling ,, bowling and bowling-
Watching some of his tournaments , score keeping and
then bowling WITH my uncle Gus... And yes there was a point
when I actually beat him ... I guess he attempted to pushed
all beyond most limits to his level competition...

It did pain me much when I knew that his arthritis had progressed
to the point he could no longer even bowl.

And that was many years ago.......

Driving his pride and joy boat (car) all over Northern Arizona
and listening to all his stories...

and those Volkswagen Bugs..... Big Uncle Gus in that small Blue Bug

Gus's life was filled with extremes in pain and joy-
Just remember as children yourselves you brought great
joy to him . And especially as an aging man in great pain
you brought even greater joy to him in the form
of all his wonderful grandchildren in his role as "Pa GUS".

As fathers yourselves you have him as an example with
a full life of experiences to draw from .
I know you could never count the lessons your father taught
you both all these years. You have such a rich history together.

The life he had and the legacies he left in both of you
and all his grandchildren are all precious.

So even in all his bodily pain tough times.
I feel Uncle Gus was very happy with the life he had.
I hope he reflected on how fortunate he was to have a wonderful
and complete family -- Yes in retrospect he was a lucky guy...

Again my thoughts prayers and condolences are with you all at this time

with many blessings and peace to all...

your cousin (and nephew)

JOHN BAROUS with Helena-Lucia Nascimento Barous