Obituary of Peter P. Caruso

Peter Paul Caruso on Monday, July 5, 2021, passed away peacefully at Morristown Medical Center at the age of 86 from complications from leukemia—fifteen years to the day he was first diagnosed with the disease. Nancy, his beloved wife of almost 65 years, was by his side. She always was. Peter was born on September 5, 1934 in Morristown, NJ to Paul Caruso and Mary Caruso (Mazzone). In 1953, he graduated from Bayley Ellard High School in Madison, NJ and then began a 34-year career at Public Service Electric & Gas which culminated in his retirement as a Supervisor. Peter was a lifetime resident of Morristown, but enjoyed regular family vacations down the shore and trips to Atlantic City and the Meadowlands. He was proud of his Italian heritage and on Wednesday nights you could find him socializing with other members of the Morristown Columbian Club. He was warm, open, and personable, which resulted in a lifetime of great friendships. He always put others before himself and his kind and gentle heart inspired him to become a passionate supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In his formative years, he spent time as a caddy and developed a lifelong love for golf. He was a loyal fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. He also enjoyed bird-watching (and horse-watching if they were racing around a track). But above all else, Peter was committed to his family. He was married at St. Margaret of Scotland in Morristown, NJ on December 9, 1956 to his high school sweetheart and the absolute love of his life, Nancy (née Waters). On Christmas, you could find them in the kitchen making antipasti and Brandy Alexanders to share with the family. In the Springtime, Nancy would garden and Peter would boast about how great the garden looked. Summers would find them down the shore and in the ocean. And in the fall, they would admire the turning leaves from the back porch. Peter and Nancy would go on to raise four children together and his family became his life’s passion. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and was proud of all of their accomplishments. A week before he passed, he was excited to finally get to meet his first great grandchild. His grandchildren were truly his greatest joy. Peter was a devoted husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He will forever live in our hearts and we will miss him dearly. “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.” Peter was preceded in death by his loving parents and his two wonderful sisters Ruth (Rocky) Lucia and Dolores Garcia as well as her husband John. He is survived by his wife Nancy, his four children and their partners, Joanie and Kevin Downes of Hanover, Debbie and Rick Petro of Princeton Junction, Peter and Dawn Caruso of Succasunna, and Lori and Joe Quinn of Chester; as well as his grandchildren Joseph (Dana) Petro, Kevin Downes II, Lauren (Matthew) Hubbard, Courtney Downes, Matthew (Jessica) Caruso, Peter Caruso, Paul Caruso, Joseph Quinn, Jr., John Caruso, and Nicholas Quinn; and his great grandchild Benjamin Caruso Petro. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Michael Lucia, Sr. and many loving nieces and nephews. Family and freinds are welcome to gather on Friday,July 9, 2021 from 4-7pm at Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains. A Funeral Service for Peter will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 10:30am at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Holy Rood Cemetery, 61 Whippany Rd., Morristown. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in memory of Peter may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html.)