Anthony Caruso

Anthony Caruso peacefully passed on January 8th, 2022.

Creative, Devoted, Encouraging, Exceptional, Goal-oriented, High Achieving, Inspirational, Intellectual, Loving, Motivating, Spiritual, are just a few of the words to describe one human being, Anthony Caruso, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Friend and Mentor to so many.

Anthony was born in Newark, New Jersey on April 2, 1937 to Anthony Caruso, Sr. and Mary Rannis Caruso. At the age of eight, along with 10 other family members including his parents, brother, maternal grandparents, and an uncle, aunt and three cousins, he crammed into a Franklin automobile, and moved lock, stock and barrel, to East Los Angeles, California, to a jointly purchased home in Lincoln Heights. There, Anthony spent his formative years while attending Abraham Lincoln High, a rough and tumble school. Despite the hard lessons and early influences of gang-like associations, Anthony, graduating with honors, strived for a better life and successfully enrolled at the University of California Berkeley after attending two years of community college. Faced with academic probation after his first year, his goal to succeed forced him to become more focused. While maintaining a janitorial position at his dorm to help pay for his tuition, sleeping in a broom closet-size room, Anthony went on to achieve his Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering at UC Berkeley in 1958. He later completed a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering at California State University, Sacramento, and completed all coursework for his Doctorate at the University of California, Davis. He went on to have many other achievements in his life.

Anthony Caruso was a retired Lieutenant Commander, United States Naval Reserve. He enlisted in the Navy in 1958, after graduating from UC Berkeley. He was stationed in Pearl Harbor, and served his country as a naval officer. As a Repair Officer and Engineer Officer aboard the U.S.S. Sturtevant, DER 239, he was directly responsible to the Commanding Officer for the operation and maintenance of all main propulsion and auxiliary equipment, and for the repair of all shipboard damage. At the age of 21, Anthony Caruso directed a department comprised of fifty personnel and had overall responsibility for their total welfare and training. Being offered a teaching position at the Atomic, Biological and Chemical Warfare School at Treasure Island, he collectively served for twenty years (4 years active duty, 16 years active reserve).

At the age of 19, Anthony met the most stunning and petite Diana May Cappello, while attending a university dance. As Diana was already dancing with another, Anthony tried to steal her away. Her dance partner declined, but Diana, being intrigued by Anthony, approached him later, with a tug on his suit sleeve. It was the handkerchief he placed on the bleacher, in a gentlemanly fashion, to prevent her from tainting her beautiful dress, that won her heart. After two years of dating, Anthony and Diana wed on February 7, 1959. While Anthony was stationed in Hawaii, on October 15th, 1959, Anthony and Diana’s first son was born, 2.5 months premature; a survival miracle at that time. They went on to have six more children. Throughout their 64 years of marriage, Anthony, through much hard work, struggle, determination and perseverance went on to achieve many more successes.

Anthony Caruso’s successful professional experiences gambit a range of responsibilities. From 1962 to 1971, he was employed by the State of California as a staff engineer with the Water Resources Control Board. In 1971, Anthony formed a multifunctional investment service company where he participated in the planning, design, construction, leasing, management and maintenance of residential, multifamily, commercial, industrial and agricultural projects while obtaining his State Contractor’s License in 1972. He served as the managing partner in fifteen partnerships. He was a founding partner of ECOTECH, a research and development company established in 1987, serving as Financial Officer and Statistical Analyst. Anthony was a Professor of Engineering at California State University, Sacramento. He was on the faculty from 1974-2004, teaching upper division and graduate courses in various engineering disciplines. Anthony was honored with the Outstanding Faculty Award, on behalf of the graduating class of 1996, the California Upsilon Chapter of Tau Beta Pi, for his contributions and dedication to the students of the School of Engineering and Computer Science at California State University, Sacramento. He spent more than 50 years making real-estate investments and his final acquisition was just weeks prior to his passing. He has left a legacy that will be remembered and admired for generations to come.

In his retirement years, Anthony enjoyed traveling with his wife, family and friends, fishing and playing poker. He became very interested in digital photography, his wife as his primary subject, and created and designed ties and socks from pictures he had taken. He was an investor at heart, and spent much time researching and purchasing properties. He provided math tutorials for his grandchildren and his greatest desire was to be with his wife and family. He was loved by many and he will be greatly missed.

Anthony Caruso is survived by his wife of 64 years, Diana May Caruso. Anthony Caruso is also survived by his seven children, Mark Anthony Caruso and wife, Mary, Regina Marie Caruso Drennan and husband, Dennis, Philip Anthony Caruso and wife, Kait, John Anthony Caruso and wife, Tammy, Paul Anthony Caruso and wife, Dawn, Christina Marie Carrero, and Mary Elizabeth Weninger and husband, Jeff. Additionally, he is survived by 27 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, his brother and sister-in-law, Philip and Joy Caruso, and many more relations and friends.

A Vigil and Rosary will be held at Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home, located at 5401 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95819 from 3-7 pm on January 20, 2022.

A Funeral Service will be held on January 21, 2022 at 1:30 pm at St. Mary’s Church, located at 1333 58th Street, Sacramento, CA 95819 with Father Sijo Chirayath and Deacon Mark Caruso presiding.

The Internment will be at East Lawn Memorial Park, located at 4300 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95819 following the service.

Family and Friends are invited to attend a reception at the Woodside Condominium Clubhouse, located at 2274 Woodside Ln, Sacramento, CA 95825.

In lieu of Flowers, Anthony requested donations to be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital.