John William Cruso

John William Cruso, Sr., age 96, died on Friday, March 24, 2017 at the Biloxi Veterans Administration Extended Living Care facility. He was born on January 27, 1921 on Point Cadet in Biloxi to the late William “Bill” and Lillie Toche Cruso. John was co-owner and operator of Cruso Canning Company (C.C. Company), a seafood canning company located on Point Cadet in Biloxi established by his father in 1918. He co-owned the business with his brother, Willie Cruso. After the sale of the business, he enjoyed working at Suarez Seafood until his retirement. John proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II for 4 1/2 years as a radio operator. He spent most of that time at sea on numerous ships seeing the world and much combat along the way. He loved telling his war stories. It was during the war when he was in port in New York City that he met the love of his life, Anna “Ann” Maria Cappiello. After the war ended he married Ann and spent 66 wonderful years together. John was a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church being very active serving as altar boy in his years to lectern in his later years. He enjoyed serving on numerous church committees especially the annual bazaar. He was very active in the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1244 and served as Grand Knight two separate terms and held numerous other offices. Over the years in KC he received many awards for his distinguished service, including the “Mr. Biloxi” award in 1987-1988. John was a member of the VFW Post No. 2434, Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, Elk’s (BPOE) No. 606 and an honorary member of the French Club. He enjoyed volunteering especially for the City of Biloxi Fourth of July fireworks display and the Blessing of the Fleet. He boiled the shrimp for the Fais Do Do for many years and held many shrimp boils at the factory for various organizations. John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved the big “get-togethers” with extended family members. He was especially known for his homemade pizza, some with very unusual toppings. He will be remembered for his patriotism, generosity, great sense of humor, hospitality and devotion to family and friends. John will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin daughters, Frances and Francene Cruso; his grandson, Frank Steven Cruso; his brothers, Willie Cruso, Jr. and Eugene Ellzey; and his sisters, Mary Lofton, Olivia Locke, Vivian Ann Wack, Josephine Cruso and Lillie Lancon. He is survived by his sons, John W. Cruso, Jr. (Nellie), Joseph S. Cruso (Connie), Anthony Cruso (Vicki) and Kevin P. Cruso (Donna); his daughters, Mary Ann Jarman (Johnny Carpenter) and Geralyn Cruso; his grandchildren, Suzette Cruso, Jodi Cruso, Michael Cruso, Lee Ann Jarman, Katherine Gonzales, Kyle Cruso, Nicolas Cruso, GiAnna Cruso and Brittany Cruso; numerous great grandchildren; and sisters, Una Broussard and Mildred “Tootsie” Caillavet. The family deeply appreciates the excellent care and compassion John received from his doctors, nurses and aides of the hospice team in the Niagara Wing at the VA in Biloxi, the rehab team in the Potamac Wing at the VA, the caregivers of Saad’s Home Health Care and his special caregivers, Denise Cuevas and Nellie Cruso. Funeral services will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery.