It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Julio Cesar Cardona, Sr. on September 23, 2021. He was 89. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family in Jacksonville, FL.
He leaves behind his wife of 62 years Carmen Cardona who was always at his side, and his five loving children: Julio Cardona, Jr., Manuel Cardona, Luz Cardona-Rosario, Linda Ortiz, and Adriana Cornelius.
He will be missed by his adoring grandchildren: Julio C Cardona III, Brandon Ortiz, Angelina Rosario, Michelangelo Rosario, Jonathan Ortiz, Joshua Cornelius, Matthew Ortiz, Grace Cornelius, Jane Cornelius, Abigail Ortiz & Ella Cornelius.
Julio was born in Cartago, Colombia to the proud parents of Maria and Manuel Cardona on July 25, 1932. He was the oldest of 13 brothers and sisters. Julio was the dependable and responsible son who helped raise his siblings and worked at an early age to help provide and contribute to his family.
Julio loved school and became an accountant in one of the largest corporations in Colombia. However, his dream was always to come to America.
In 1962, he arrived to New York City with a Student visa and immediately fell in love with New York and the United States. His girlfriend from Colombia followed a few months later and they were married in New York City. Her name is Carmen Cardona.
To support his growing family, he took many jobs in New York and went to night school to learn English and to earn his American High School diploma. You see, his Colombian education was not honored in the United States. He continued to go to college at night to become an Accountant. Julio was one of the first accountants in New York that serviced the growing ‘bodegas’ (small mom and pop Hispanic supermarkets) in New York.
Julio was a consummate student. He loved education but loved the arts even more. He was a musician, poet, song writer and opera singer. His love for the arts was passed down to his children who grew up in a house full of Beethoven, Mario Lanza, classical guitar, etc. Memories of waking up to Julio playing the guitar are vivid to all of his children.
Julio was a devoted grandfather. Angelina and Michelangelo were Blessed to have their grandfather be an integral part of their daily living. They will miss him dearly.
Julio will be a missed husband, father, brother, grandfather, neighbor and friend.
Funeral services will be held at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, Jacksonville, FL on Sunday October 3, 2021 from 5:00pm-7:00pm and a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, October 4, 2021 at 11:00am in San Juan Del Rio Catholic Church. Immediately following he will be buried at San Lorenzo Catholic Cemetery, St Augustine FL.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the Cardona family.
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