Franklin "Lyn" R. Caruso

Former Amsterdam resident Franklyn Robert Caruso passed away peacefully July 11, 2014 at Morristown Memorial Hospital in New Jersey. His childhood sweetheart and wife of 58 years, Rita Frascatore Caruso, and family members were at his side. He was 79. Franklyn, known to his friends as Lyn, was born November 26, 1934 in Amsterdam, the middle of three sons born to Elvira (Rossi) and Ralph A. Caruso Sr. He grew up on Fourth Street in Rockton, where he attended Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, Theodore Roosevelt Junior High School and Wilbur Lynch High School, where he graduated in 1952. Franklyn went on to receive a BA degree in mathematics from New York University in 1956 and an MBA from Arizona State University in 1963. Franklyn began his professional career with General Electric in Schenectady, where he was part of the Managerial Training Program. He went on to spend 25 years with Chase Manhattan Bank as vice president of international operations for the Western Hemisphere Area. During that time, he lived and traveled throughout the world before settling in Morris Plains, N.J. in 1987. He also maintained a home in Galway, N.Y. He was a member of the Morristown (N.J.) Columbian Club and the Knights of Columbus and was honored in 2003 by the United Way of Morris County, N.J. for his volunteer work as a high school mentor. Franklyn was a lifelong Yankees fan, sparked by the team's two visits to Amsterdam in 1942 and 1949, and loved sports, opera and travel. But he was especially devoted to his wife and family, which included four children and seven grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Franklyn is survived by his son Paul Caruso (Claire) of Morris Plains, N.J., and three daughters: Jeanne Theismann of Alexandria, Va.; Joanne Zaccaro (Thomas) of Los Angeles; and Jacquelyn Goldhagen of Morris Plains. He is also survived by two brothers; Ralph A. Caruso Jr. of Clifton Park, N.Y., and Charles Caruso of Amsterdam, and numerous nieces and nephews. A devoted "Pop Pop," Franklyn leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Robert Catherine and Joseph Caruso, Christine and Carolyn Zaccaro, and Craig and David Goldhagen. A visitation will be held Thursday July 17 at 9:45 a.m. at the St. Mary's Catholic Church Chapel followed immediately by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 156 E. Main Street in Amsterdam. Interment will take place in St. Michael's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Morris Minute Men EMS, P.O. Box 192, Morris Plains, N.J. 07950. His family has entrusted his care to the staff at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue Amsterdam.