Manuel “Papo” Cardona Caraballo, a master tradesman and entrepreneur, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and a longtime resident of Harrisburg, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the age of 78. He is survived by his children, Maria Cardona, Lee Cardona, and Maggie Cardona, from his first marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Eberoina Gonzalez; following their separation, he was also a devoted father to Alista, daughter of Sue, and to Josuuan Rivera, the son of his later-life partner, Ivette Villegas, whom he raised as his own. He is further survived by his grandchildren, Julianna and Daniel, children of Lee; Giuliano, Yania, Lucci, and Michael, children of Maggie; Travis and Hunter, children of Alista; and Brody, Kylee, and Anthony, children of Josuuan. He is also survived by his siblings, Nilma, Nora, and Luis Angel; and was preceded in death by his siblings, Norma and Tomas. He is further survived by his much-loved nieces, Rosita Figueroa, daughter of Norma, and Angelica Quiles, daughter of Nora.
