Jeffrey L. Caruso, of West Concord and formerly of Carlisle, MA, died on June 7, 2023 from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome after 31 days at Emerson Hospital.
Jeff was born on August 7, 1953 in Boston to Antonio “Tony” Caruso and Pearl (Coughlin) Caruso. He grew up in Watertown, West Concord, and Concord, graduating from CCHS in 1971. He earned his S.B. in Mathematics at MIT in 1975, and his PhD. from the University of Chicago in 1979. He did post-doctoral work in Algebraic Topology at Cambridge University in England, and taught at UNC Chapel Hill. He was a member of the startup team at Atex, developing software that revolutionized the printing and publishing industry. He was employed for the last 25 years as a Rocket Scientist at Pageflex. He was involved in the development of the algorithm for the music identification app Shazam.
Jeff was a true renaissance man. He loved chess, working as a tournament director and with the Billerica Chess Club and Massachusetts Chess Association. Singing was his passion, both with the St. Irene Choir and Nashoba Valley Chorale. He delighted in performing in the St. Irene Murder Mysteries, and was a man of great faith. He curated an extensive library ranging from ancient history to literary realism to modern technology. He walked weekly with the Concord Runners, was active with the Knights of Columbus, and loved attending the Boston Ballet. He became a proficient bread baker.
Jeff is survived by his wife of 41 years, Melissa Weiksnar of Buffalo NY, his son Philip, his wife Kaitlin and their daughter Rowan of Portland ME, and his daughter Evelyn of Portland, OR. He also leaves behind his sister Laurene Gili and her husband Patrick, along with nephews Alexander and Zachary, and many loving relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his daughter Amy, his parents, brother Dennis, and sister Karen.
Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord, MA on Saturday, June 10th from 4 to 7 pm and again on Sunday, June 11th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 12th at 10:30 am in St. Irene Parish, 181 East Street, Carlisle. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Concord, where he will be laid to rest near Amy.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jeff’s name to the Nashoba Valley Chorale or the Living Memorial Chess Fund c/o Massachusetts Chess Association.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in Jeff’s online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
