After a brief battle with cancer, Bernard J. Cordivano, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Jennersville, PA, on Tuesday, February 27, at age 86.
Bernard was the son of Josephine Di Bartolomeo and Bernardo Cordivano, who built an empire in the mushroom industry as the first Italian to grow mushrooms in the United States. Along with his brothers, Bernard began Cordivano Brothers Mushrooms in the 1940's in Kennett Square, PA, where he was born and raised. Bill retired from Cordivano Brothers in 1975. He was the widower of Grace Ella Miller Cordivano, who died in 1972.
Grace and Bill are survived by Bernard J. Cordivano, III and his wife, Rachel of Quarryville, PA, Arthur E. Cordivano and wife, Patricia, of Jennersville, PA, Shirley A. Cordivano Madonna and husband, James, of Landenberg, PA, and James A. Cordivano, of Jennersville. William Joseph Cordivano predeceased his parents in infancy. Grandchildren include Bernard J. Cordivano, IV, Michele Cordivano Waters, James K. Madonna II, Angela Madonna Riddell, Marc Anthony Madonna and Dione Cordivano Suto. Great Grandchildren are Stephanie Waters, Christopher Waters, Jeremy Allan Madonna, John Graham Riddell III, Sarah Lynn Madonna, Joseph Douglas Madonna, and Claire Elle Suto. Bernard's sisters, Rose Ulissi, of Downingtown, PA and Lorraine Alonzo, of Kennett Square, PA; also survive along with his brother, Joseph Cordivano. Bernard left many nephews and nieces as well. His brothers, Guy Cordivano and Angelo Cordivano, and a sister, Phyllis Cordivano Sasso, predeceased Bernard.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 10 am, at St. Patrick Church, 210 Meredith St., Kennett Square, PA 19348. Family and friends may call from 8:15-9:15 am, on Friday at the KUZO & GRIECO FUNERAL HOME (610-444-4116), 250 W. State St., Kennett Square. Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery.
Contributions may be made in Bernard's memory to St. Patrick Church at the above address; or to Neighborhood Hospice, 795 E. Marshall St., Suite 204, West Chester, PA 19380.
Online condolences may
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(610) 444-4116
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