Michael F. Caruso

West Palm Beach- Michael F. Caruso Born 8-24-1964 Died 6-16-2021. Michael joined his Mother, Joan Elizabeth Caruso, in heaven June 16, 2021. Michael was born in Gainesville, Florida 8-24-1964 and diagnosed with a rare neuro muscular disease shortly after birth that prevented him from standing or walking which confined him to a wheel chair for his entire life with only 10% muscle strength. Although handicapped, Michael felt he was normal and once strapped in his wheel chair he acted like a normal person. Michael graduated from Merritt Island High School in 1982. He attended the University of Florida and with the help of a live in roommate he graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Journalism and Telecommunication in 1986. His handicap prevented him from participating in sports but he was an avid gator and sports fan. He had a photographic memory and could recite the score of every sporting event as well as the players in every team. His favorite teams were the Florida Gators, Dallas Cowboys, and Atlanta Braves. He attended 6 Super Bowls, NCAA Basketball March Madness finals and every Gator in State games. Michael was destined to be involved in sports so it is not a surprise he got a job as a Sports Director of Channel 12 TV in West Palm Beach where he worked for 32 years. He interviewed Hall of Fame's Phil Niekro, Hank Aaron and Roger Stauback.

Michael trained many young employees of Channel 12 TV including Suzy Kolber who became the first female sports anchor at ESPN in 1993 and joined Fox sports in 1996 and has been hosting Monday Night CountDown ever since.

Michael had a positive attitude and always had a smile on his face and never complained. His attitude was "I can achieve anything just never give up". Michael survived 2 spinal surgeries and numerous hospitalizations resulting from his impaired physical condition. His doctors predicted he would never reach 10 years of age and he proved them all wrong by living for 57 years.

Upon arriving in Heaven it was no surprise that God appointed Michael as Sports Commissioner for all Sporting events in Heaven. Not bad for someone who was never able to participate in Sports.

Michael is survived by his father attorney, Joe Teague Caruso and his sister Nicole Seropian, an attorney in Boca Raton and his brother, Joe Teague Caruso, Jr. in Rockledge, and his Aunt, Edna L. Caruso, an attorney in Palm Beach and wonderful friends too numerous to mention. Louis Armstrong said it best, "What a Wonderful Life".

A Celebration of Life event will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 4pm at Quattlebaum Funeral Home at 6411 Parker Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33405.