Sophia D. Gromacki Caruso

Sophia D. Gromacki Caruso, age 98 of Canonsburg passed away peacefully at 1:10am Saturday, November 23, 2013 in Strabane Woods, Washington. She was born August 7, 1915 in Pittsburg a daughter of the late John and Kazmira Staniszewski Gromacki. Mrs. Caruso lived most of her life in Canonsburg where she attended St. Genevieve Parochial School and was a graduate of Canonsburg High School. She was a member of St. Patrick Church and the Christian Mothers and Guild. Prior to her retirement in 1988 she had been employed as a deputy director in the Voter Registration and Election Offices for twelve years. After retirement she worked the Official Recount Board for eight years.
Mrs. Caruso was a charter member and past president of the Canonsburg Counsel of Democratic Women, a member and passed Grand Regent of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Canonsburg 1211. She had been Past District Deputy serving 4 years at Courts Burgettstown and St. Agatha's in Bridgeville. Mrs. Caruso was a member and past president of the Past Regents Club of the Pittsburgh Diocese, where she had been past Vice Chairman of the Pittsburgh Diocese Committee. She was also a member of the Canonsburg Senior Citizens and the KSKJ St. Jerome Lodge 153 of Strabane. She was a founding member of the Canonsburg Hospital Gray Ladies and was the first lady of Canonsburg while her husband served as the last Burgess and first Mayor of the borough. On December 27, 1936 she married Fred Caruso who passed away May 9, 1998 after celebrating 61 years of marriage. Surviving are four children; Patricia Vinisky of Houston, Lt Col. James R. (Joyce) Caruso U.S. Army Retired of Succasunna, NJ, Fred D.(Joanne) Caruso of Washington and Kathleen (John)Simpson of Charleston, South Carolina, seven grandchildren; Mary Beth Vinisky, James (Jill)Caruso and Christopher(Michelle) Caruso, John R. Simpson III, Tessa (Timothy) Gonyea, Margo Simpson and Darren Caruso, 10 great grandchildren, two sisters in law: Rose DiGiovanni of California and Mary Mastrangelo of Canonsburg and several nieces and nephews. She was the last of her immediate family. Deceased in addition to her husband and parents is a grandson Michael Vinisky who died December 10, 1983 a brother Joseph Gromacki and two sisters; Mary O'Laughlin and Rose Gromacki.
Friends are welcome from 4-8pm Monday in Salandra Funeral Service, Inc. Joseph P. Salandra owner/supervisor 304 West Pike Street Canonsburg 724-745-8120 where departing prayers will be recited at 9:30am Tuesday, November 26, 2013. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am Tuesday in St. Patrick Church with interment to follow in St. Patrick church cemetery. The Christian Mothers and Guild of St. Patrick will recite the Rosary at 3:30pm Monday in the funeral home.