MILLINOCKET – Francis P. “Punk” Caruso, 79, left this world Nov. 11, 2006, after a short illness to rejoin his beloved wife, Lorraine. He was born April 15, 1927, in Little Italy, Millinocket, the son of Pasquale and Maria Caruso. He was a graduate of Stearns High School, Class of 1945, and later graduated from Higgins Classical Institute Prep School. As a member of the greatest generation, he joined the U.S. Merchant Marines shortly after his 18th birthday and served in the Pacific theater during the latter stages of World War II. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, while assigned to the First Armored Division of Fort Hood, Texas. Upon his discharge, he returned to Millinocket to marry and start a family, and began his 35-year employment in the engineering and research department of the Great Northern Paper Co., retiring in 1988. Francis lived a full and simple life. Most important to him were his faith, his family and his friends. He was a loving husband, a proud and strict father, and a cream puff of a grandfather. He was fiercely protective of his family and would do anything for them. He attended every Little League, Pop Warner and Stearns game, in which his kids were playing. He was a loyal friend to all who knew him. As a longtime treasurer and member of the Knights of Columbus, he contributed many hours to the upkeep and operation of the hall and helped organize many fundraisers. “Punk” will be fondly remembered for his strong Catholic faith; his card and pool playing expertise, which often lightened the pockets of many opponents; his annual World Series pools, eagerly anticipated and thought by many to finance his kids’ college education’s; his barbecued lamb, renowned throughout Millinocket and the centerpiece of the annual Perch Derby at Millinocket Lake; his love of sports, especially the Yankees, whoever was playing the Red Sox, any Stearns team, the Boston Celtics and Notre Dame football; his love of golf and fishing, especially during his retirement years, his knack for growing tomatoes in any soil in any weather; and his ability to strike up a friendly conversation with anyone who happened to be sitting next to him. Francis was predeceased by his wife, Lorraine, earlier this year; his parents; and his brother, Rosario. He is survived by his four children, John Caruso and his wife, Susan, of Hampden, Anthony Caruso of Medway, Ann Marie Hoffman and her companion, Joel Ranger, of Hampden and Paul Caruso and his wife, Kathryn, of Cape Elizabeth; his grandchildren, Patrick and Jaclyn Caruso, Nicole, Kelly and Garrett Caruso, Maria, Jordan, and Michaela Hoffman and Angela and Toni Caruso; his brother, James “Buff” Caruso and his wife, Jeannette, of Millinocket; his sisters, Katherine Caruso of Millinocket and Mary “Gally” Osgood and her husband, Richard, of East Millinocket; his in-laws, Lillian Caruso of Millinocket, Ann Carter and her husband, Dudley, of Millinocket, Rosalie Clark of Millinocket, Priscilla “Diddie” Barker and her husband, Henry, of East Millinocket, John “Jack” Picard and his wife, Doreen, of Millinocket and Jane Picard of Northampton, Mass.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to visit with the family 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Bouchard – Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket. Prayer services will be offered 7 p.m. Wednesday by the officers and members of the Knights of Columbus, St. Martin of Tours Council No. 680. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 112 Maine Ave., Millinocket. Interment with full military honors will be at Millinocket Cemetery, Millinocket. Gifts in memory of Punk may be sent to the Knights of Columbus, St. Martin of Tours Council No. 680, 27 Highland Ave., Millinocket, ME 04462 or to the Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462. To place online condolences, please visit www.lamsonfh.com
FRANCIS P. ‘PUNK’ CARUSO
