James "Albert" Caruth

1931 - 2023

James "Albert" Caruth, 92, of Sterling, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon at his home. His wife, Patricia Louise Caruth, passed away April 8, 2023. The couple was married on May 15, 1957.

Born Nov. 8, 1931, in Scranton, he was the son of the late Stanley and Ruth Ives Caruth. He was a 68-year member of the Salem Lodge #330, Free and Accepted Masons. Al served our country honorably in the United States Army.

Besides a couple years in New Jersey with the service to our country, Al spent his entire life living in Sterling, Pa., on his family farm. As a child, he worked in the dairy business with his father taking care of the animals and making lots of hay when the sun was shining and when the horses were in the mood to pull the equipment. When freedom from the chores presented themselves, he would religiously venture off to the baseball field where I'm reminded still to this day what an amazing batter, fieldsman and base runner he was. In young adulthood, he transformed the dairy barn into a meat-packing plant, married and raised a family of three. His love for baseball continued; He was co-founder of the Sterling Little League, and he preached baseball as a worthwhile endeavor to his two sons, his grandsons and many other boys in the neighborhood for decades. In his middle-aged years, he concentrated on growing his business and supporting his family in every way a good husband and father does. He was active in the community and forged many long-lasting friendships with neighbors, customers, other farmers and fellow businessmen. He and his wife were adventurous, and they would frequently take trips to witness the many wonders of the world and experience other cultures. In his retirement years, Al loved to stay busy trying on a few new hobbies, perfecting his landscaping, and spending time with his family at picnics, celebrations and an occasional Phillies game. Throughout his entire life, Al was a strong, energetic man who was very committed to his beliefs but accepting of all people, always anxious to make a new friend.

Also surviving are his daughter, Jill Caruth Binder and her husband, Fred, of Newtown, Pa.; sons, Mark Caruth and his wife, Martha, of Sterling; and Kurt Caruth and his wife, JoAnne, of Sterling; grandchildren, David, Adam, Elizabeth, Jimmy and Owen; great-grandchildren, Ayden, Annabelle and Lilah; sister-in-law, Dr. Betty de Maye-Caruth; nephews, Stanley Godek and Edward Caruth; and niece, Amy Caruth-Korenyi.

He was also preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Lawrence Caruth and his first wife, Jean; also, his sister Louise Godek and her husband, Patrick.

All are welcome to attend funeral services, which will be held Sunday, Nov. 19, at 12:30 p.m. in the Salem Community Church, 613 Hamlin Highway, Hamlin, Pa., with the Rev. Jane McCarthy, pastor of congregational care, officiating.

Friends may call Saturday afternoon from 3 to 5:40 p.m. in the James Wilson Funeral Home, 143 Gravity Road, Lake Ariel. Masonic services will be held Saturday at 5:45 p.m. in the funeral home.

Interment with military honors, Salem Cemetery, Hamlin.

In lieu of flowers, the family strongly encourages memorial contributions be made in the loving memory of Al to the donor's favorite charity.

To share a memory or to express your condolences to the family, please visit www.jameswilsonfuneralhome.com.