Obituary of Anthony Caruvana

Anthony Caruvana, 88, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2023, surrounded by the love of his family. Born in Brooklyn, NY to his late parents, Dominick and Elizabeth (Raio) Caruvana, Anthony was a brilliant man who valued family, travel, education and lifelong learning.

In 1953, Anthony graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, and then continued his education at SUNY Maritime College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering. He also attended a graduate program at UCLA for Engineering Management.

After graduation, he proudly served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy on the USS Forrestal (1957-1959) followed by the Reserves (1959–1965). He went on to work for Bethlehem Steel in Massachusetts installing nuclear reactors for the USS Long Beach. This is where he met and married the love of his life, the former Jane F. Thompson.

The couple moved to California after Anthony accepted an engineering position with North American Aviation, Atomics International Division, and then to Pennsylvania, where Tony began his 32-year long career with General Electric. As a member of the Space Division at the Valley Forge Space Center, he trained Apollo astronauts on the use of the SNAP-27 (Systems Nuclear Auxiliary Power), a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) developed to operate in the adverse lunar surface environment. In 1966, he received an award for “Excellence in Engineering” through the Space Division, as well as received accolades from NASA for his contribution to the Apollo Space Program. It was during this time that he started his family. Anthony was a source of inspiration and guiding support to his daughters.

In 1973, Anthony transitioned to the GE Gas Turbine Division in Schenectady and his family planted roots in the Woodhaven neighborhood of Niskayuna where they lived for nearly 40 years. He served as a Project Manager working with global teams and world leaders to implement critical power systems. He retired in 1997 and spent his time relaxing with friends and family at Loon Lake.

Anthony travelled the world through the Navy, his work and with his family, visiting 73 countries and every continent, including Antarctica. When asked his favorite place to travel, he would respond, “Milan, Italy - the food was tremendous.”

Anthony was a thoughtful and generous man. He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Scotia, where he served as a deacon and an elder. He was a man of very few words, but when he spoke there was integrity behind it. He believed in doing what was right and always wanted to lend a helping hand to others, whether it was driving people to appointments, supporting local charities, volunteering with the GE Elfun Society, or serving his community as the East Caln Town Supervisor (PA) — Anthony was a man of action.

Predeceased by his loving wife, Jane; sister, Johanna Ferrara; and brothers-in-law, Lenny Colasuono and Louis Ferrara.

He is survived by his daughters, Susan Caruvana of Gansevoort, NY and Laurie (Ken) Martin of Castleton, VT; his siblings Mary Colasuono and Joseph Caruvana; and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff in the E-2 wing at the Home of the Good Shepherd in Saratoga Springs.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 12th, at the Glenville Funeral Home from 2 to 5 PM. Military honors and committal service begins at 12 PM on Monday, March 13th at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Those driving in procession to the cemetery, please meet in the Glenville Funeral Home parking lot at 10:45 AM. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.

Online condolences may be made at glenvillefuneralhome.com