Joseph Cardello

Hampden - Joseph Armand Cardello, 80, beloved husband of Penny Bohac-Cardello passed away surrounded by his family on February 4, 2015, after several years of ill health. He grew up in Lawrence, MA, the only child of Armand and Angelina D’Angelo Cardello. Joe was a graduate of University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he played football. He received his Masters in Education from the University of Maine. In 1957, he married Karin Spiegel of Seekonk, MA, the mother of his five children. “Coach” touched the lives of hundreds of students and athletes beginning at Orange MA, Mystic CT, Stonington CT, and Stonington ME, and Hermon, ME. In Stonington ME his team won back to back State Championships in 1961 and 1962. At Hermon High School he led the girls’ basketball team to the Eastern Championship in 1976 and 1978. In addition to teaching and coaching, he worked as a cook at the Baltimore Restaurant in Bangor, taught Drivers Education in Camden for several summers, volunteered for the Hermon Rescue squad, worked as an EMT at Medec Ambulance, and owned B & C Catering with fellow teacher Bob Baldwin. He was also a member of the National Ski Patrol at Mt. Hermon Ski area. After retiring from education, he started driving the Hermon School bus and received his license as a massage therapist. In the mid 80’s, he met his loving wife and best friend, Penny. A few years later he relocated to Bethel where he and Penny opened the Abbott House Bed and Breakfast. Joe moved to Winterport to be closer to his children and grandchildren. He worked at Sam’s Club for a few years as a food demonstrator where they called him “Big Joe”. He was a substitute teacher and was “Head Chef” at The Burr Home. Joe enjoyed his dogs, traveling, Broadway shows, golf, cooking –and tasting, gardening, family dinners, and sports, especially the Patriots and The Red Sox. He concentrated on taking good care of his wife Penny. He also cared for his mother whom he brought into his home for the last years of her life. Joe was truly an honorable man and brought laughter to many. He will be sorely missed.
Joe was predeceased by his parents and his youngest daughter, Jill Cardello. He is survived by his wife Penny, and his children Cheryl Hodsdon, Wendy Lainez-Blanchard and her husband Lloyd Michael, Kurt Cardello and wife Allison, Jon Cardello and wife Tamara, and step sons Sean and Bart Bohac. Joe has six grandchildren, Danielle Lainez, Lauren Cardello and fiancée Adam Jordan, Jacob Cardello, Sorrell Cardello and husband Josh Hansen, Jessica Hodsdon, and Jared Cardello. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Sunday February 8, 2015 at the Hampden-Gilpatrick Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 45 Western Ave., Hampden where funeral services will be held 11:00am Monday February 9, 2015. Spring interment will be held in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Winterport. Gifts in his memory may be made to Hermon High School Scholarship Fund, c/o Superintendent’s Office, PO Box 6360, Hermon, ME 04402-6360 or EMAN at www.maineaidsnetwork.com or 106 Pine St, Suite 10, Bangor, ME 04401. There will be a “bulb basket” at Brookings-Smith if you would like to join us in developing a special memory garden of iris and glads – Joe’s favorites. Special thanks to the EMMC ICU unit staff, DaVita Dialysis Center, and Dr. David Koffman. Condolences to the family maybe expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com