Frank Cardamon, Sr.

Des Moines

Frank Cardamon, Sr. passed away October 31, 2010, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at the age of 88.

He was born to Angela and Nick Cardamon on November 7, 1921. Frank was a lifelong resident of Des Moines.

He joined the United States Marine Corps on January 17, 1940, to serve four years. On September 30, 1940, they left San Diego Navy base and were sent to China for fourteen months. On November 28, 1941, they shipped out to the Asiatic Pacific area. He participated in action against the enemy in the Philippine Island operation from December 8, 1941, to May 5, 1942. He was captured on Corregidor May 6, 1942, and spent three years and four months in Japanese prison camps. He was honorably discharged March 10, 1946. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart metals. Frank returned home and was in the bar business and later went to the U.S. Postal Service in the Motor Vehicle Division.

He was a member of Legion Post 659. He also belonged to the Defender of Bataan and Corregidor Association.

Frank had a good sense of humor and liked playing jokes on people. He was an avid sports fan and always favored Notre Dame. It was a sad day when he had to give up golf. He and Virginia enjoyed entertaining in their home. Frank liked to cook Italian food and grill out. Food was always available for whoever walked in. As one boy put it, "Don't ever go over to the Cardamon's house unless you're hungry, because his old man will make you eat."

Frank is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia; two daughters, Victoria (Mark) Miller of West Des Moines, Teresa (Roy) Shaw of Largo, FL; and son, Frank (Joan) of Des Moines; grandchildren, Halsey (Martin) Cicero of Ocoee, FL, Ryan Shaw and Toni Shaw, both of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Brittany Shaw of Orlando, FL, Natalie Cardamon, Kelli (Matt) Laffoon, all of Des Moines; step-children, Ben Miller of Salt Lake City, UT and Abby McArther of Fly Creek, NY; and great-grandchildren, Matthew Laffoon of Des Moines and Lila McArther of Fly Creek, NY. He is survived by his siblings, Rose Chiodo, Carmella Yacavona, Joe Cardamon, Nick Cardamon and William Cardamon. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Angela Cardamon; brother, Paul Cardamon; nephew, Louis Chiodo; and brother-in-law, Frank Chiodo.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 3, 2010, at Saint Theresa's Catholic Church from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Funeral mass will be held Thursday, November 4, 2010, at l0 a.m. at Saint Theresa's Catholic Church, 1230 Merle Hay Rd., Des Moines, IA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Theresa's Catholic Church Foundation.