In Memoriam

May 14, 1928 to October 22, 2006

         Carroll Howard Cruse was born On May 14, 1928 in Baltimore Maryland. He was the third son of Charles Howard Cruse born in 1880 and Elva Druid Smith born 1891, both of Baltimore. Carroll had two brothers, Charles and George and a sister Mildred who had pre-deceased him.

         A lifetime resident of Baltimore, Carroll’s first home was on East Lanvale Street then moved at the age of 13 to Clearview Avenue. As an adult Carroll moved from the city to a new country home on Miller Road in Baltimore County where he resided with his mother and brother George.

         Carroll graduated from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1949 and attended Johns Hopkins University for one year. Carroll’s first job was in the men’s department at Stewart & Co. Department Store. In 1952 Carroll joined the work force at Aberdeen Proving Ground and remained there until his retirement.

           In June of 1948 Carroll joined the National Guard and remained thru several re-enlistments for fifteen (15) years. Carroll was honorably discharged in May of 1963. Carroll was extremely proud of his service and lived his life with intense patriotism and honor. Carroll was a voracious reader and was a walking encyclopedia of military and historic knowledge.

           Carroll was never married and spent much of his time with his hobbies, collecting model fire engines and trains. He enjoyed traveling with his brother George and visited most of the United States as well as numerous trips to Europe.

           Carroll was very generous, giving much money to his favorite charities and organizations including the B&O Railroad Museum, the Baltimore Zoo, the Lyric, the Walters Art Gallery and the Baltimore Opera. Carroll also was an extremely fraternal individual. He was a member of nearly forty organizations, including the Grand Lodge of Maryland and the Boumi Temple. Carroll served as a volunteer fireman for many years.

          Carroll was passionate about his country, his city of Baltimore, his ball team, the Orioles and his family. He truly was an encyclopedia of facts on these subjects.

          Carroll was affectionately referred to as the family curmudgeon , having strong dislikes for Busch beer, people who were late and large noisy parties. He loved to get into political debates and enjoyed bantering with his brothers on various topics. Although this bachelor was private and somewhat difficult to know, he had a very warm side, a very generous side. Carroll has changed many peoples lives through his generously and deep concern. He loved the staff at Lorien, where he spent his last few years. Many of the nurses expressed their loss and sorrow to me in his passing.

        Carroll believed in Heaven and an after-life. He was totally aware of his condition toward the end and was anxious to once again see his mother, father, brothers and sister. We will all miss you Carroll and perhaps one day we will be with you again.

biography by Linda Hughes

Please select the menu items to the right to see some photographs and other mementos of his life. Please leave any comments in the family guestbook.