John Joseph Caruso

John Caruso was born June 19, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York to Esther and Francis Caruso. He was the youngest of seven children: two sisters and four brothers, who were raised to love God, family, country, and their fellow man. His parents moved the family upstate to Phoenicia, New York, where they operated Villa Caruso hotel and restaurant. Despite working hard in their hospitality business, John cherished his memories of growing up in the Catskills alongside his siblings with an abundance of love and laughter. The family shared a strong bond with their Catholic church community, St. Francis de Sales, where John served as an altar boy. He loved performing in the musical variety shows his father put on for the benefit of the church, as well as in the annual Passion play in their former parish in Brooklyn.

As a young man, John attended Onteora Middle/Senior High in Boiceville, NY, where he excelled in sports. He then joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany, where he was trained in tactical missile defense. After his honorable discharge in 1967, John worked in several of Manhattan’s premier restaurants. Thereafter John enjoyed a decade-long career with Mr. Chesler in the Hamptons at the Dune Deck Hotel and at Chesler’s Palm Beach restaurant. When John opened his own business, the Marrakesh Disco in West Palm Beach, he met the girl next door, Sandra Panais, whose family owned and operated the Royal Greek Restaurant and the Royal Palm Motor Lodge. John’s other ventures include the famous Dune Deck Café in Lantana Beach, which he founded in 1991 and operated with his wife and her family.

John and Sandra were together in love for 45 years. They were members of St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church. To be known by John was to be loved by him. When in his company, you knew you were special. His heart, his sense of humor, and his irresistible charm made his presence sought and remembered by a wide circle of family, friends, and business associates. Whether on the golf course, at the casino, or greeting customers at the Café, John made every encounter a party.

John is remembered in love by his wife Sandra and the Panais, Calomiris, Caruso, and Carrano families, including his cousins and nieces, and nephews - too many to count - all of whom held a place in his enormous heart.

Friends and family may honor his life

Tuesday, August 8th at Dorsey - E Earl Smith Funeral Home, Lake Worth Memory Garden 3041 Kirk Rd., Lake Worth Fl. 33461

Family 6:00 pm

Friends 6:30 -10:00

Trisagion Service 8:00

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 10:00 am

St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church

110 Southern Blvd.

West Palm Beach, Fl 33405

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church or the HEROES Foundation of America, www.heroesfoundationofamerica.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dorsey-smithmemorygardens.com for the Caruso family.