George D. Cardoza, 82 passed away peacefully in his Florida home on Friday, February 23, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was born October 20, 1941 in Providence, Rhode Island a son of the late Frank Cardoza of Providence, RI and Zelma Lipson Cardoza of Brookline, MA.
George is survived by Joyce his loving wife of 59 years; two sons, Robert A. Cardoza and George B. Cardoza and wife Kathleen (Fogarty) Cardoza. He is also survived by his brother, Dwight Cardoza and his wife Debra (Nunes) Cardoza; brother in-law, James Sherlock and his wife Eleanor (Babcock) Sherlock; daughters-in-law, Rosemary Mernick and Kerri Neill; grandchildren, Benjamin Neill Cardoza wife Nicole Halmi, Courtney Beth Cardoza, Max Henry Cardoza, Sydney Jean Cardoza; and great grandchild, Sylvia Cardoza Halmi. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his eldest son, Jerald A Cardoza in 2021.
While in his late teens, George belonged to the Cruisers Hot Rod club George drove the club’s dragster reaching a speed of 150 mph "fast for those days." Later in life George traded his love of dragsters for his love of his Corvettes. George served 6 years in the Rhode Island National Guard attaining the rank of Specialist 5th Class.
At 25 George entered the Pest Control industry as a technician and rose to be the President of the New England Pest Management and Vice President of National Pest Management. George was also accredited with founding the Rhode Island Applicators Association of which George was not only their first President he was also given license #1. In 1992, George and Joyce opened Budget Termite & Pest Control that is still operated by son George B. Cardoza.
George not only enjoyed being a member of private clubs, he also was an active member serving as House Chairman for Potowomut Golf Club, President and board member of Bonnet Shores Beach Club, Golf Chairman and multiple board positions for Worthington Country Club. He also launched Worthington's first ever website as their webmaster. George and Joyce spent winters at Worthington Country Club in Bonita Springs, FL and spent their summers in their Warwick, R.I. home while enjoying their cabana at Bonnet Shores Beach Club in Narragansett R.I. Sports cars, fishing & golf were his hobbies and George will always be remembered for his stories.
A Celebration of Life will be held for George in Rhode Island later this year. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com.
