Joe Caruso

JOE CARUSO (1930 - 2019) was born in Manhattan, graduated Midwood High School in Brooklyn and, after serving in the military during the Korean War, attended Oswego State College and received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from New York University.  Joe taught what was then called “Shop” and was the consummate teacher.  To this day, former students remember him as their best teacher and as a role model.
 
As many of the young teachers did then, Joe turned to athletics to help boost his income and support his growing family.  This turned out to be more than just an avocation.  Joe was a coach, having coached Junior High School track,  a soccer official, a swim official, a football official and a track & field official.  He was one of the founding members of the Nassau County Track & Field Officials Association and served as its President 9 times during his many years of involvement.  He also served as representative to the OCC (Officials Coordinating Council) and fought diligently for the needs of track & field officials. He became active in the New York State Officials Association and was its Vice President for several years.  
 
Joe expanded his horizons by becoming a member of MAC and officiated hundreds of MAC meets over the years,   Joe was a Starter and was one of the most sought after and respected Starters in the United States.  He served MAC as an official and as the Certification Chair of the MAC Officials Committee.  He traveled extensively and was the Starter at many major meets in the United States including events such as the Olympic Trials, the Goodwill Games, the Milrose Games, National Championships both indoor and outdoor, Masters meets, Junior Olympics and many NCAA Championship meets.  He had a special feeling for the disabled athlete and became a strong force in the area of disabled track & field.  He was involved with the Victory Games and the NYS Games for the Physically Challenged for many years.
 
Most importantly, Joe was always the teacher.  He not only taught his students at Valley Stream South High School, but went out of his way to take new officials under his wing and teach them their trade.  He was a mentor to hundreds of officials over the years.  The young athletes learned from him as well and respected his knowledge and enjoyed his sense of humor.  
 
Joe and his wife Irene lived in Valley Stream and raised their 5 children there – Joseph, Harold, Eileen, Michael and Richard.  He now has 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.