This is for you, Nick Caruso
Every so often in life, comes a person of unassuming and selfless nature who, despite being on the quiet side, nonetheless makes an immediate and everlasting impact.
Someone like Nick Caruso.
I got to know this person of warm heart, caring nature and absolute love for family — complete with infectious smile — more than 10 years ago after my wife, Mary, went to work for Nick’s son, Dr. Kevin Caruso, as his nurse.
It quickly became easy to like Nick as someone of such kind, friendly nature. Though moderate and a tad on the shy side, Nick had a way of making one feel warm, welcome and comfortable in his presence.
He rarely spoke ill of anyone. If he wasn’t particularly fond of someone, he would merely shrug his shoulders and give a slight shake of his head.
But it was mostly love for his family and appreciation for his friends that Nick showed in the many times that I was in his company over the years.
The mere mention of his wife, Judy, son Kevin, daughter-in-law Lisa, and grandsons Nick and Sam brought a beam of a smile to his handsome face born of Italian genes.
And when one asked how second son David, who along with wife Carla and kids Gabriel, Elliott and Oliver — who all live out of town in the Kitchener area — were doing, the same radiant smile would come to his face.
I really enjoyed Nick’s company over the years.
We would talk soccer — especially pertaining to teams from Italy — and he would tell me that after all of these years, the Chicago Blackhawks were still his favourite National Hockey League team.
But mostly he would talk about his family. His wife, his boys, their wives, their children. Oh my, his precious grandsons.
Of his two boys, I have become close to the one who lives in the Sault, the aforementioned Kevin. Kevin likes to call my wife his older sister and me his older brother. And we, in turn, think of Kevin as a sibling — and a really good, trusted friend.
But back to Nick.
I do not believe that I have ever met anyone as nice as Nick. Such a nice, nice, man. A man of simple means and generous love.
Well, Nick passed away, just the other day. It was a sudden passing; a stroke in the morning, followed by a call to Heaven within a matter of hours.
My heart aches for Nick. As it aches for his family.
A true testament of how Nick was respected and loved came the day after his passing.
His grandson, Sam, had a hockey game to play on Saturday. He wanted to play, so Sam’s dad, Kevin, took him.
I went with them to the rink.
As one hockey friend after another came upstairs to give Kevin a hug and a warm word as he and I stood in the sports bar above John Rhodes Community Center, each and every well wisher had something special to say about Nick.
Mostly, the words can be summed up simply and eloquently.
“We loved Nick. What a wonderful man. What a caring man. All Nick ever talked about was his family. No one was (is) nicer than Nick.”
And so it is.
And so it goes.
Without being a smart businessman, an outstanding athlete, or someone in the public eye, Nick made a warm, lasting impression on those who he met and came across.
Just a month short of his 75th birthday, Nick has left without ever really leaving, in a sense.
That is because, as he can be talked about in the past tense, he will no doubt continue to be talked about in the present, in the moment.
To be sure, to those who he loved and to those who loved him, the love will remain.
Fitting, to a tee, was the obituary that was written upon Nick’s passing. It is, as follows.
“Who was Nick? Nobody important. He wasn’t a king, a prime minster, a billionaire, a sports star, a genius.
But … he was the beloved husband of Judy for almost 52 years. The respected father of Kevin (Lisa) and David (Carla). The loving, affectionate grandpa of Gabriel, Nicholas, Samuel, Elliott and Oliver.
Doesn’t sound like much, but to him, a very simple man, it was all he cared about; his family (where life begins and love never ends.)
This is what he lived for. Everything else came in second as far as what was important to him. This was his happiness, his beach.
He was grateful for every hour, every day he got to spend with the people he loved.
If you want to make him smile, hug your spouse, your children, your grandchildren and be there for them.”
We see you, Nick. Oh yes, we do.
Then. Now. Always.
What you think about “This is for you, Nick Caruso”
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Such a beautiful tribute to such an amazing man! He will be greatly missed by so many! We will miss seeing his smile at the rink! Hugs and love to the family ❤️
A true gentleman, what a role model for all of us to follow. A nicer man you will never meet.
Great man. Played ball with with Kevin as a kid, Nick was always there smiling, helping out. He was a big influence on the kids just by being there. The Caruso family is very fornute to have so many great memories of Nick..
Thank you for such a great write up. Nick was truly a special man and loved by so many . The world was a better place with him in it no doubt . We will miss him at so many school and sports events . Hugs to the family from The Wood’s XO
he was my part time father ,he had a heart of gold ,never knew a man with a pure heart like my brother inlaw nick caruso he is definitely in the Heavens above no doubt in my mind. He will always be in my heart im going to miss him.
Nick was a very special person. My family and I live in Thunder Bay but we were blessed to have been in Nick’s company numerous times while visiting Billy and Anita Schill in Sault Ste Marie.
The passage above is a beautiful tribute to Nick. For me and my family the reference of Nick being “someone of such kind, friendly nature. Though moderate and a tad on the shy side, Nick had a way of making one feel warm, welcome and comfortable in his presence“ perfectly reflects how he touched our family.
Hugs and prayers to Judy and family
Brian, Tammy & Benjamin Fedoruk
Judy and family , so sorry and sad to hear of your great loss and will always remember Nick for his contagious big smile and heart to match. Alfio and Pat Trevisanut.
Was heartbroken to hear of my uncle’s passing. This was so beautifully written. I had not seen my uncle Nicky in years but I remember him to be everything and more than what is written here. No he may not have been a king…or athlete etc. but the world would be a much better place if we could all be a little more like Nick Caruso.
Beautiful. What better way to be remembered than as a genuinely kind hearted family man who defines what a true gentleman is. We will miss our rink conversations and his proud grandpa stories…
Our deepest sympathies to his entire family xo.
Love, Damien, Sara, Marshall, Hailey, Evan and Avery xo
Rewarding to see Randy share his experiences with the public.
My mom and I will miss Nick’s grand smile and enthusiasm for life and laughter.
Mario & Momma D.
The world is a darker place without the light of Nick’s smile, the crush of his hugs and love of family, that he openly and proudly shared, for all the world to see! He was truly a kind soul, with a gentle heart! Judy and family, our hearts ache for your tremendous loss and we too, are heartbroken to have lost Nick…a shining example of a genuine, caring, and loving man! May your many happy memories keep him close to your heart…as that is the only place he’d want to be! Our thoughts and prayers and love are with you always!
❤️❤️ Kathy and Nello Barsanti
Thank you for such a wonderful write-up! Your words described Uncle Nick perfectly. Uncle Nick was a man that everyone respected as well as someone we always looked up to. He knew exactly what really mattered in life and his vision was never blurred even through some of the daily challenges and struggles we sometimes face. Not long ago, he was describing his marriage to my aunt and told me if he could do it all over again “if he could go back in time he wouldn’t change a thing…..” How many people can honestly say that? He was so incredibly proud of Kevin & Lisa, and David & Carla and of course all of his beautiful grandchildren. A truly beautiful person. His legacy reminds us to live with a grateful heart, and to treat others with respect, kindness and compassion. He had such a positive and gentle impact on the lives of many. I have no doubt that you are waiting for all of us on the other side💕 Melanie (Niece & Goddaughter)