This memorial website was created in memory of our beloved, Larry Cardozo, 64, born on December 18, 1951 and passed away on June 15, 2016. We will remember him forever.
In lieu of flowers please make all donations to the places below: one is in an effort to find a cure for cancer and the other is representative of a place that Larry held especially dear to his heart - the Channel Islands National Park.
Channel Islands Park Foundation
Larry was born in Chicago to Sara Jean and Dick Cardozo, inheriting from his parents a love of nature and of learning. These passions lasted a lifetime, sparked continual adventure and enlightenment, and were lovingly passed on to his own children, cementing the family legacy. While earning his degree at the University of Illinois, Larry had a political awakening, made lifelong friends, and met Karen, with whom he quickly fell in love. The newlyweds headed west in the orange VW bus of family legend, with no specific destination in mind but sharing a California dream.
Larry and Karen blossomed in the sunshine, and soon sprouted a family. In the decades that followed, Larry himself grew in beautifully unexpected ways. He wrote novels, fought to protect Ventura's green space, and played drums in the Ventura Klezmer Band. He became versed in widely diverse subjects like geology and meteorology, antique weaponry, Chinese cuisine, palm trees, the California missions and the history of the American West. Larry also became intimately acquainted with many of California's abundant natural treasures: the Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite Valley, and the great Pacific Ocean. In retirement, Larry realized a dream by being accepted as a docent on the Channel Islands National Park whale-watching excursions.
By example, Larry also taught his children, and so many others around him, the meaning of authenticity and humor. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was always generous with his love, affection, and care. Larry is survived by his wife of 42 years, Karen Lewin Cardozo, and also by his parents, his oldest son Benjamin (his wife, Hadas, and children Ellie and Zoey) and his younger son Daniel (his wife, Katie). He also leaves behind his sister, Linda, her husband Al, and niece and nephew Stephanie (her husband David and their children Evelyn and Lillian), Stephen (his wife Sarah), brother-in-law Steve and Joan, and nieces Shoshana (her husband Adam, their child Danielle), and Samantha.
A memorial service was held at 10:00 AM on Sunday, June 19th, at Temple Beth Torah, 7620 Foothill Road in Ventura.
Tributes
Leave a tributeYou are truly loved. You will be forever a part of my script, "The Halls of Horror" as the namesake of the haunted high school. Lawrence E. Cardozo High School is everything you are not and I loved seeing your reaction to hearing the name of the school for the first time.
Every few years, we will do this show. Every few years, I will remember your constantly smiling face. But I will always miss you, friend.
So many memories of love, jokes, hanging out and his use of the middle finger!
Karen is my cousin, but more as my big sister and friend. Larry just stepped in, without a falter, was my big brother and caring friend.
The great extra was being part of the Cardozo/Feder family! Love you all.
We hiked together from the Sierras to the Sawtooths to the Bugaboos and to the Alps; kayaked the Pacific and the Salmon River; traveled many continents; laughed like crazy; and enjoyed every minute of the time we spent with one another.
It was not enough and never will have been, so many more adventures to be had - but so glad to have had the ones we did.
He meant a lot to so many people and was deeply loved. May we find a cure to cancer, for all of us.
Leave a Tribute
You are truly loved. You will be forever a part of my script, "The Halls of Horror" as the namesake of the haunted high school. Lawrence E. Cardozo High School is everything you are not and I loved seeing your reaction to hearing the name of the school for the first time.
Every few years, we will do this show. Every few years, I will remember your constantly smiling face. But I will always miss you, friend.
Lasting Impression
Larry's Family,
Although I have only met Larry a few times in my life, he left a unique and lasting impression on me....can you say "Klezmer Band".
Larry provided many years of friendship and mutual support to my sister Terri (Ayer) DiMora and Frank DiMora. I consider my sister and Frank very fortunate.
I am counting on seeing Larry again in another life (heaven) …until then the Good Lord and heaven are in for some interesting times!
I ask everyone to literally stop for 5 seconds and thank the Lord for Larry....and take the time to celebrate his unique life (perhaps a Klezmer Band reunion is in order!).
Be open to the possibiity there is a loving and merciful God and that Larry is in his caring arms.
You are in my prayers.
Phil Ayer
brother of Terri (Ayer) DiMora
Anchorage, AK