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Philip Caruso, the former longtime president of the New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association and a resident of Sayville, died on Sunday, Aug. 8, after battling cancer for six years. He was 86.
Funeral services for Caruso will be held Friday, Aug. 20, and Saturday, Aug. 21, at Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Home in West Sayville. Visitation is scheduled on Friday from 2-4:30 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m. On Saturday, there will be a 10:30 a.m. chapel service at the funeral home, located at 245 Main St.
Caruso headed up the PBA — which changed its name to the Police Benevolent Association in 2019 — for 15 years during the 1980s and 1990s. The PBA is the largest municipal police union in the world.
“During his time leading the PBA from 1980-1995, Phil was a staunch advocate for our men and women in blue,” New York City’s Detectives’ Endowment Association said in a statement. “We will keep him in our prayers.”
Current PBA President Patrick J. Lynch in a statement offered: “On behalf of the PBA and its members, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former PBA President Phil Caruso following his passing. Please keep them in your prayers.”
Before joining the city’s police force, Caruso, a Brooklyn native, served in the Military Police for the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Caruso is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joanne; their daughter Lynda; four grandchildren, Alex, Haley, Matt and Samantha; and four great-granddaughters, Aria, Layla, Lucinda and Winona. He was preceded in death by his daughter Angela.
