Josephine "Jody" F. (DeMattia) Caruso

Josephine, “Jody” Caruso passed peacefully from this life on April 21, 2023. Her family, the joy of her world was with her. Jody’s passing is mourned by countless family and friends to whom, in her more than 101 years, she brought a love and devotion they will always cherish.

Born Josephine Florence DeMattia on September 2, 1921, Jody was the fourth of Marina and Michael DeMattia’s eight children. The DeMattias were a close and loving family and remained such throughout their lives.  Marina and Michael were graduates of The Boston Conservatory of Music.  They passed their love for music to all their children. This love, accompanied by more than a little talent led, in the 1930s to the creation of a family orchestra. In addition to the family orchestra, Jody traveled New England and Canada as part of an all-female ensemble, The Sweethearts of Swing, as well as other professional orchestras.

It was inevitable that Jody’s love of music would lead to the love of her life. She met and fell in love with Joe Caruso, a talented saxophone player. Together they had five children. Their love never waned and lived on after Joe’s death in 1988.

During World War II Jody worked in factories supporting the war effort.  Using money she saved, Jody and Joe started an aviation business in Trenton, Maine. To supplement airport operations, the Caruso family began hosting “hangar dances” at the Bar Harbor Airport.  Once more Jody’s talent with the trumpet was in the spotlight. Always someone who never rested when work was to be done, during intermissions Jody served pizza in the airport snack bar.

The post-war years witnessed the birth of the jet age and, in 1960 Joe and Jody moved south to Gorham where they continued to raise their growing family. It was during this time they founded Maine Aviation Corporation, providing the area with one of the first full-service aviation companies at the Portland Jetport. Eventually Joe and his brother Thomas Caruso formed Bar Harbor Airlines which became one of the nation’s largest, most successful commuter airlines.

Jody lived a rich and colorful life. Her creative talents extended into the art field as she was also a gifted artist.  She loved to travel and visited all corners of the earth. Jody was known for her fashion sense and up to her final days was always perfectly coiffed, nails manicured, “dressed to the nines.”

What most defined Jody wasn’t visible. She never met a stranger. Throughout her life she was a woman who wanted to make others feel good about themselves. She succeeded at this. One of her favorite ways was with food. Everyone will miss her famous Sunday Spaghetti Sauce. A fantastic cook, she enjoyed all sorts of food, and nothing gave her more pleasure than sharing a good meal with family and friends.  Her legendary Sunday Dinners were her favorites and were open to everyone. Nobody left Jody’s house hungry.

Home was a central part of Jody’s world.  Her homes in Naples, FL and Sebago Lake were filled with her artwork and mementos from her travels.  Everyone has fond memories of sitting with her on the deck overlooking the water, working out the day’s crossword puzzle and jumble.  In later years as she developed vision problems, Jody would ask others to help her.  Her eyesight weakened, but her mind remained sharp. Her love for puns stemmed from her love of words. Words were one of her hallmarks.

Jody made friends literally all over the world. Her positivity and infectious enthusiasm led to lifelong friendships even with those she never met in person.  But her deepest affection was for her family.  She leaves behind her children Ronald Caruso and wife Cindy, Allyn Caruso and wife Alysan, Jerilyn Caruso, Lauren Harrington and husband Peter, and Alysan Sherota and husband Jeff.  Her grandchildren Tom and wife Brook, Michael and wife Sally, Travis and wife Ann, Derek and wife Melissa, Ryan and wife Mandy, Joe Harrington, Blake Harrington, Ryan Sherota, and Braden Sherota will miss “Grammy” tremendously as will her great-grandchildren Megan, Jackson, Ella, Alyvia, Camyrn, Will, Allyn James, Sophie, and Lyla.  Days won’t be the same without a phone call from Jody that always ended with “I love you!”

In more than a century of life, her deep faith was a constant part of Jody’s life.  She never doubted that one day she would be reunited with Joe, Marina, Michael, her brothers and sisters, and many friends and loved ones.  It can be said of Jody that she “ran the race, fought the good fight, and kept the faith.”  After a life well lived Jody has left the world a better place.  All who knew and loved Jody mourn her loss and will treasure her memory.

Jody was a member of the Portland Lioness Club and the Annie Louise Carey Club. She was instrumental in forming the Gorham High School Band, in which her son’s participated.  In lieu of flowers, please mail donations to Gorham High School Band.

Gorham High School

Attn: Barbara Quinn-Gagnon

41 Morrill Avenue

Gorham, ME 04038

The checks can be made out to Gorham High School and in the memo line please note "Band Department".

The Caruso family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation to Hospice of Southern Maine and all her devoted caregivers, most notably her daughter Jerilyn who was devoted to assuring Jody’s final years were spent at home.

A private burial will be in Eastern Cemetery in Gorham.

A celebration of Jody’s life will be held this summer, with the time to be announced.

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