Bernadette Caruso

At 79, Bernadette was the oldest child of Rosaria & Joseph Caruso. She joins them and her husband Gerard Reynolds in heaven.

She is survived by her two adult children; Jessica Bradbury & son-in-law; Erik Bradbury, son; Matthew Caruso-Reynolds, her sisters and brother’s-in law; Christine & Phil Giordano, Lorraine & Nick Gilbert, nieces and nephews; Mariana & Grant Crandall, Phil J. Giordano & Karen Arbaca, and great- nephew; Lucas Giordano.

Bernadette had an unwavering faith in God . In 1964, at the age of 18, she joined the convent of Sisters of St. Dominic in Amityville, NY. There, she dedicated herself to God, and to her other lifelong calling; teaching. She left the convent before taking final vows in 1974. She had many fond memories of her time with the Sisters and kept involved with the order and the friends she met there until her death.

Bernadette went on to earn her degree in early childhood education from Hunter University. She had a true gift for teaching children with learning disabilities and emotional needs. For decades she worked within the NYC Board of Education spending most of her time teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten in Brooklyn, Manhattan and the South Bronx until her retirement.

Ever the Drama Queen – To say she had a flair for the dramatic would be an understatement! She was passionate about the theatre and was the driving force and Founder of Park Slope's RSVP Repertory Theatre on 7th Street and 6th Avenue. There, she ran a successful company of adult & children’s theatre from 1978 to 1991.

Bernadette had a generous heart and a special way of making everyone feel like family. She lived as she loved; with her entire self. She never had a plan B and always said “Yes” to the adventure. In the end she said, “I had a good life- It hasn’t been dull”.

She did not fear death because she loved God with all her heart, and soul.

Exit Bernadette stage right…..

Visitation will be held at Harmon Funeral Home, located at 571 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310, on February 6, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Funeral Mass at St. Clare's Roman Catholic church on Nelson St., Staten Island from 10:00 to 11:00am

Lunch at Trattoria Toscana on Hylan Blvd, near Armstrong Ave, Staten Island from 12:00 to 2:00pm

**Please respond to Jessica if you are planning to attend so we make sure to set enough place**