John Michael Caruso, 69. On the evening of September 16, 2023, John Caruso DMD passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. John was born in Millinocket, Maine on June 28, 1954 to Francis and Lorraine (Picard) Caruso, the oldest of four children.
John enjoyed growing up in Millinocket and spent time playing baseball and basketball with his brothers and friends. He also enjoyed summers at the family camp at Cedar Lake. John graduated from Stearns High School in 1972 and from the University of Maine in 1976 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology. In 1979, he graduated from Tuft’s University School of Dental Medicine and upon graduation, entered the U.S. Army. He started a general practice residency in Fort Ord, California, graduating from this residency in 1980. In 1987, John graduated from a two-year Advanced Educational Program in General Dentistry at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He served as an Army dentist for 21 years with assignments taking him to numerous places including Germany and Alaska. In 2000, John retired as a U.S. Army Colonel. After retiring, he associated with one of his best friends, Dr. R. Joseph Libby in private dental practice in Bangor, Maine, until 2014. After retiring from private practice, he taught in the Dental Health Programs at UMA, Bangor campus for ten years. John enjoyed molding the next generation of Dental Hygienists. His compassion for those in need led him to volunteer as a dentist at the OASIS Free Clinic in Brunswick for two years and serve lunch one day a week at the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter for over 10 years. He enjoyed golfing, skiing with friends, and playing the guitar. His dry and playful wit brought a smile to many faces.
He is survived by his wife Lisa; two children, Patrick (Angela) Caruso, and Jaclyn Caruso Kennedy (Casey); grandchildren Peyton, Preston, and Parker John Caruso; brothers Anthony and Paul Caruso (Li); sister Ann Marie Hoffman; two step-children (Katie and Matthew Swanson); several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his late wife of 32 years, Susan Caruso, his father Francis and mother Lorraine Caruso and step-son Christopher Swanson.
The family invites relatives and friends to call from 5 – 7 PM, Wednesday, September 20 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. A celebration of his life will be held from 1 - 3 PM, Thursday, September 21, 2023 at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor. We encourage you to come and enjoy conversation with family and friends, while sharing stories of the positive impact John had on your life. Interment will be later at Pine Grove Cemetery, Cherryfield. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, 263 Main Street, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Caruso, please visit our flower store.
John enjoyed growing up in Millinocket and spent time playing baseball and basketball with his brothers and friends. He also enjoyed summers at the family camp at Cedar Lake. John graduated from Stearns High School in 1972 and from the University of Maine in 1976 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology. In 1979, he graduated from Tuft’s University School of Dental Medicine and upon graduation, entered the U.S. Army. He started a general practice residency in Fort Ord, California, graduating from this residency in 1980. In 1987, John graduated from a two-year Advanced Educational Program in General Dentistry at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He served as an Army dentist for 21 years with assignments taking him to numerous places including Germany and Alaska. In 2000, John retired as a U.S. Army Colonel. After retiring, he associated with one of his best friends, Dr. R. Joseph Libby in private dental practice in Bangor, Maine, until 2014. After retiring from private practice, he taught in the Dental Health Programs at UMA, Bangor campus for ten years. John enjoyed molding the next generation of Dental Hygienists. His compassion for those in need led him to volunteer as a dentist at the OASIS Free Clinic in Brunswick for two years and serve lunch one day a week at the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter for over 10 years. He enjoyed golfing, skiing with friends, and playing the guitar. His dry and playful wit brought a smile to many faces.
He is survived by his wife Lisa; two children, Patrick (Angela) Caruso, and Jaclyn Caruso Kennedy (Casey); grandchildren Peyton, Preston, and Parker John Caruso; brothers Anthony and Paul Caruso (Li); sister Ann Marie Hoffman; two step-children (Katie and Matthew Swanson); several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his late wife of 32 years, Susan Caruso, his father Francis and mother Lorraine Caruso and step-son Christopher Swanson.
The family invites relatives and friends to call from 5 – 7 PM, Wednesday, September 20 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. A celebration of his life will be held from 1 - 3 PM, Thursday, September 21, 2023 at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor. We encourage you to come and enjoy conversation with family and friends, while sharing stories of the positive impact John had on your life. Interment will be later at Pine Grove Cemetery, Cherryfield. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, 263 Main Street, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
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