Dr. Joseph Arthur Caruso

Charlevoix - Dr. Joseph Arthur Caruso, 96, formerly of Lansing, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2024, in Alma, Michigan consistently surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be June 10, 2024, at 9:30am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30am, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 955 Alton Road, East Lansing, MI. Joseph will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery at 2520 West Willow, Lansing, MI.

Joseph was born on February 29, 1928, in Durand, Michigan, to Nicholas and Julia (Spagnuolo) Caruso. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during WWII, stationed in Japan. He earned a BS at Michigan State University in Chemistry and went on to earn a Medical Degree with a specialty in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Caruso's professional career spanned over 50 years! In 1959, he started private practice serving St. Lawrence Catholic Hospital in Lansing with Dr. Joseph Leshock and Dr. Donald Quigley. Together, their practice was committed to advancing and improving women's health; infertility; surgical procedures and teaching others.

In the early 1960's, Dr. Caruso played a pivotal role in the establishment of the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University and helped forge a strong educational alliance between MSU, area hospitals and physicians. He was presented with an Emeritus Associate Clinical Professor appointment.

Joseph married the love of his life, Helen Fortino, on December 27, 1952, in Grand Ledge, MI. They shared a very blessed union for 71 years. They enjoyed raising their 8 children in East Lansing and later spending time with family at their winter home in Naples, FL and summer home in Charlevoix, MI.

He was a devout catholic and a member of St. Thomas Aquinas for over 45 years, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Charlevoix and St. Elizabeth Seton in Naples, FL.

Joseph and Helen instilled the importance of gathering family together throughout the year to celebrate all of life's important events. It was a priority for them to spend vacation time with the entire family.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Helen; daughters, Julia Malinoff, Diane (Jeff) Grace, Kathryn (James) Grace, Mary Lee Caruso, Annette (George) Gosselin, Christine Martin, Joanne (Michael) Schultz; daughter-in-law, Virginia Caruso; 22 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren with 3 more babies due in the next 2 months!

Joseph was preceded in death by his son, Nicholas Caruso; his parents; his father-law-law and mother-in-law, Pasquale and Carolyn Fortino; brother, Frank Caruso; sister, Arlene Dodge and son-in-law, William Malinoff.

Joseph's family would like to express a sincere thank you to all the wonderful doctors and caregivers that assisted him during the last few years of his life, in Michigan and Florida.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to one of the following as a memorial: Circle of the Arts, Charlevoix, MI; St. Elizabeth Seton School, Naples, FL; or an organization of your choosing.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Lux-Moody-Wolfel funeral Home, Alma. To view Joseph's full obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.luxfuneralhomes.com