Louis ( Bif ) Michael Caruso passed away December 29, 2011 at age 82

[Brian Caruso]

Louis ( Bif ) Michael Caruso born December 24, 1929 passed away December 29, 2011 at the age of 82. He is survived by his 3 children and 7 Grand children. Bif served in the USAF as a cook, and had the distinct honor of having a military funeral. He enjoyed a beautiful ceremony and wonderful send off being surrounded by family and friends. Bif is buried at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada just outside of Las Vegas. Bif’s two greatest passions in life were auto racing and cooking. He worked on the on his Father Mike Caruso’s race team starting at the age of 14 and worked as a mechanic and crew chief at Indianapolis from the 1940’s through the 1960’s. His interest and love of the sport and race cars never ended. His second passion was cooking. After working at Indy, Bif became an Executive Chef and worked at a number of different restaurants in California before opening his own, aptly named, “Caruso & Me” in San Pedro, California. Bif moved to Las Vegas in 1990. He worked as an Executive Chef at some of the city’s finest restaurants in the Desert Inn, Golden Nugget and Suncoast Hotel & Casino before permanently retiring in 2005. Bif always kept busy and was an integral part of helping us at Micar put together the Caruso Racing Museum. Rest in peace… We will miss you Bif! Brian & Mike Caruso Louis (Bif) Caruso sits in his Dad Mike's 1st Offenhauser in August 1937 Louis (Bif) Caruso stands on right next to Karl Hattel at Nutley 1938 Louis (Bif) Caruso with Mike Nazaruk and father Mike Caruso after win at Williams Grove Pennsylvania with stretched supercharged midget Louis (Bif) Caruso talks with Mike Nazaruk with stretched supercharged midget October 21, 1951 Louis (Bif) Caruso talks with Dad Mike Caruso,driver Eddie Russo Louis (Bif) Caruso talks with Jerry Calandrillo & Jud Larson at Williams Grove Jimmy Bryan driver with Louis (Bif) Caruso & Georgie Rice at Williams Grove in the stretched supercharged midget Louis (Bif) & Mike Caruso & Eddy Sachs in Midget at Williams Grove 1950 Louis (Biff) Caruso with Johnny Thompson in stretched midget with 220 Offy at Altermont, Ny July, 4, 1953 Louis (Bif) Caruso with Paul Russo at Indy 1957 after Russo qualified 2nd with fastest time in the Novi Louis (Bif) Caruso and son Randy 1958 Here are a few STP Novi pictures and videos from Indianapolis 1964 & 1965 when Bif worked as a mechanic for Andy Granatelli on the Novi's and STP crew Indianapolis 1964 Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czud5-9B8ZA&feature=related Indianapolis 1964 Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3udKrVFGJJ4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV9u30cNh2A&feature=related NOVI 4-Whl. Drive Race Cars at Indy, 1965 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV9u30cNh2A&feature=related 1965 Indianapolis 500 Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afijbtALdIA&feature=related Louis (Bif) Caruso & Chuck Hulse Indy 1967 Louis (Bif) Caruso, Louie Sena and Ansen? with sprint car Bif built for Ansen Ed Justice Jr., Biff & Mike Caruso Jr., Merle (Van The Body Man)Steenwyck & Bob Harkey at Indianapolis 2004 Louis (Biff), Mike & Brian Caruso 2007 Louis (Bif) Caruso at his 80th birthday December 24, 2009 Louis (Bif) Caruso at his 81st birthday December 24, 2010 Brian & Louis (Bif) Caruso at his 81st birthday December 24, 2010 Louis (Bif), Brian & Mike Caruso Jr. at Micar March 1, 2011,

[Bob Costa]

I knew Bif only briefly in 1950 when we were both being discharged from the USAF on the same day. When he heard I was trying to quit smoking he offered to help and that required that I ride with him to Long Island where his family lived. And that I give him my cigarets and he would dole them out only when he thought I was desperate enough. He was strong enough to give me zero of them all the way to Long Island and for three days there. Bif was the type of man you could like instantly. I was reminded of Bif at the death of another mutual friend, Denny Mcarthy.

[Brian Caruso]

Hi Bob,
Thanks for sharing that story. I am Bif's nephew. It is coming up on 5 years that Bif has been gone and we really miss him. I showed my Dad your story and he asked if you were from Pennsylvania. My Dad will be 85 years old in February and Biff would have been 87 this month. How old are you Bob? Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy new year. Best wishes, Brian Caruso