Antonio Cárdenas

Antonio Cárdenas Gómez passed away peacefully on Monday, September 2, 2024, at the age of 92 in Connecticut. Known throughout his life for his generosity in helping those in need, his relentless work ethic and energy, and his mischievous sense of humor, Antonio was always dedicated to his family. He loved to build and to fix things; embraced staying active, preferably outdoors; and relished listening to an eclectic mix of music. Born in Cádiz, Spain, he was a self-taught talent in the field of naval architecture and marine engineering. In 1949, at the age of 18, he started as a workshop apprentice at the Sociedad Española de Construcción Naval in Matagorda and worked his way up to assistant and then associate draftsman. He moved in 1962 to the urban planning office of Sevilla's city hall. With his wife Pura Lerdo de Tejada, in 1964, he left behind his motorcycle (but not his dreams) and traversed an ocean for a new life in Quebec, Canada until 1969 when they moved to New Orleans. He worked tirelessly, despite the language barrier, including at Breit & Garcia Naval Architects from 1969 to 1984, excelling in structural design by virtue of self-study and hard-won experience. When shipbuilding declined in the 1980s, he pivoted with resilience until his retirement in 2002. For most of his life, he worked more than one job, also finding time to start creative businesses with Pura. Foremost among these ventures was Carden Construction, which allowed him to design and build several houses, including the family home. Hurricane Katrina eventually took the home, but his greatest burden was the unimaginable loss of his beloved 13-year-old son Tony to cancer in 1985, along with the protracted illness and death of his life partner Pura in 2013, after fifty years together. Antonio's legacy lives on proudly in his daughter Sonia Cárdenas, of Simsbury, Connecticut, forever grateful for who her father was and his steadfast devotion to family; his caring son-in-law of over thirty years Andrew Flibbert; and his grandchildren, Alexander and Samantha, whom he cherished and who will always remember with love their funny, doting abuelo. Son of Florencia Gómez and Felipe Cárdenas, Antonio leaves behind his dear sister Florencia of Madrid, as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Spain and Italy. He joins his other siblings, Angeles, Carmen, Elisa, Dolores and Felipe. The community of friends he had in New Orleans and his vibrant extended family in Spain always remained an essential part of him, even after he and Pura resettled in Avon, Connecticut. Those wishing to honor Antonio's memory may make a tribute donation to the Alzheimer's Association.