Pub. 3 2015 Issue 1

14 The Community Banker www.mibonline.org A TRIBUTE TO PAUL CARUSO, SR. P aul Caruso passed away on Feb. 3, 2015, at the age of 89. He was born on March 22, 1925 in Laurel, Montana. Paul was the youngest of three sons born to Harriet and Sulli- van Caruso. Paul grew up in a railroad family. His dad, brother Bill and several of his uncles were engineers for the Northern Pacific Railroad. In February 1943, as a high school senior and just shy of his 18th birthday, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army. He received his high school diploma early and was deployed. Paul served in France, Germany and Great Britain. He was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service. After the war, Paul settled in Glendive to be close to his brother, Bert. It was there that he met the beautiful young lady, Elaine Sura. They were married in Glendive on Sept. 4, 1946. In 1949 their only son, Paul Jr., was born. Then his banking career started in 1955 when he went to work for First National Bank of Glendive. As an after-hours business, he and Elaine, with another couple, started and op- erated the White Swan Drive-In. In 1960, Paul had the opportu- nity to start First State Bank of Mineral County in Superior. In 1967, the family moved to Helena where Paul worked at Commerce Bank. In 1970, with a group of local businessmen and over 200 loyal shareholders, Paul founded First Security Bank of Helena. Paul dedicated the last 45 years of his life to “The Bank.” He mentored many individuals in the banking business. Always willing to give of his time, Paul was a founder and served as president of Montana Independent Bank- ers Association, president of Montana Bankers Association, first chairman of the Montana State Board of Investments and a board member of Montana Teachers’ Retirement Board. His game was golf, and he served as president of the Montana State Seniors Golf Association and on the board of Green Meadow Country Club. Paul was the ultimate “gadget man.” One of his favorite jobs at the bank was ordering promo- tional gifts for customers. He had a vibrant personality, espe- cially in his choice of clothing. Friends delighted in catching a glimpse of Paul’s latest and brightest outfit. He was loving, kind, honest, generous and fun loving. Paul was definitely a member of “The Greatest Generation” and was able to live his dream that he built through hard work and perseverance. Paul was preceded in death by his mother, father, two broth- ers and his beloved wife, Elaine. They were married 68 years. He is survived by his only son, Paul (Lenette); granddaughters Amy (Josh) Quarles, Jill (Matt) Caruso Donald; and three great-grand- daughters Lucia, Amelia and Maeta. Memorials are suggested to Mandy Bell Travel Endowment/ St. Peter’s Foundation, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Originally published in the Helena Indepen- dent Record February 10, 2015 Paul Caruso, Sr., was a founding member of MIB and, in addition to working in community banking for nearly sixty years, he founded First Security Bank of Helena. Paul’s life evidenced the true spirit of community banking, and we are grateful for his life of service to MIB, community banking in Montana, and our country.