Richard Arthur Cardoza

It is with profound sadness that the family of Richard Arthur Cardoza shares with you his passing on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the Hock Family Pavilion in Durham, NC.

Richard was born on March 22, 1946 in Potsdam, NY, the second son of Wilfred Arthur Cardoza and Virginia Agnes (Morgan) Cardoza. Richard was one of seven children whose early years were spent in a one-story brick house built by his dad. Family numbers increased, and in 1957 the family moved to Madrid, NY where Richard graduated from Madrid-Waddington Junior-Senior High School as a three-sport varsity athlete and honor student. He continued his undergraduate schooling at SUNY Potsdam, graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education. He earned his Master’s Degree in Arts and Teaching from SUNY Oneonta while working as the Director of Student Activities at SUNY Delhi, Delhi, NY. His entire professional career was devoted to SUNY Delhi in a variety of positions including Dean of Student Life and Director of Admissions. He concluded his successful 35 year career in the Academic Success Center where he advised students with learning challenges and founded the Online Course and Distance Learning Program, which continues to this day as an integral support program, not only for Delhi students but also for local high schoolers and community members. It was perhaps here where Richie had his greatest educational impact. He was happiest helping people.

Richard married Pamela Sue Thompson on May 31, 1980. They welcomed daughter Katherine Anne on April 11, 1983. Katie was “his rainbow” whom he adored. And the feeling was mutual.

Richie, as one of the oldest of seven children, knew the importance of family. And in his role as husband, dad, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend always quietly, and sometimes not so quietly, put others first. He always listened. He always comforted. He believed in apologizing when you were wrong and insisted on being kind and welcoming and loving because “that’s what families do.” He reveled in his annual trips to Florida for Brothers’ Weekend, and wouldn’t say “no” to a good cigar, or an even better scotch.

Richard is survived by his daughter, Katie, and by his siblings Thomas Cardoza (Camille), Anne Dreimiller (John), John Cardoza (Dee), James Cardoza, Marguerite Salerno (Anthony), and Lisa Cardoza-Smith (Michael) and in-laws Carol Carrano (John), John Thompson (Karen), Jean Thompson, and Joan Howard (Mark).

Uncle Richie was a special gift to his nieces and nephews: Jessica Moser (William), and children Morgan (Joseph), Lauren, and Patrick; Jamie Matonti (Ron) and children Talia and Thomas; Megan Graf (Phil) and children Henry, James, Violet, and Isabella; John Dreimiller (Laura), Christin Salerno, Anthony Salerno, Jordan Smith, and Collin Smith; Mark Carrano (Diane) and their sons Kian and Eshin; David Carrano, Mitchell Wilsey (Kate) and his son Gavin, Jeffrey Wilsey (Bri) and their children Emilia and Forrest; TJ Howard and his daughter, Juliana; Miles Howard, and Andrea Pate (Carson) and their daughter Avery.

As one nephew once remarked: “Uncle Richie makes you feel loved. He gives the best hugs and he has the biggest laugh. He is a joy to spend time with and a heartbreak to leave (I secretly believe his departure is the reason why all the Cardoza women cry at the end of every family reunion.”)

He is also loved by Leah and Rocky Goldsmith and their children Olivia-Michelle, Griffin, and goddaughter Madison.

Relatives and friends are invited to call Friday, February 7, 2025 from 6 to 8 p.m.at Walker’s Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. at The Newman Center in Chapel Hill.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Newman Catholic Community at UNC; The Scholarship Fund at SUNY Delhi; The Scholarship Fund at SUNY Potsdam; or the Durham County Public Library.

“You may find that you begin to measure your life before and after he left. And that’s okay. Just be sure whatever you do, whatever tiny grain of strength you have left, that you strive to fill up the after as richly and as beautifully as he helped you fill the BEFORE. The before is committed to memory now, but the AFTER is totally up to you. Make it count.”