Paul F. Cardoza, 81, of New Bedford passed away Tuesday November 23, 2021. He was the husband of the late Kathleen A. (Sankey) Cardoza.
Born in Bourne, the son of the late Manuel and Antonia (Monteiro) Cardoza, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
Paul was formerly employed as a laboratory technician at Tobey Hospital until his retirement.
During the Vietnam War, he served in the U.S. Navy. In his younger years, he was a local Golden Gloves boxing champion. He had also worked as a training partner with the late heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier. He was later inducted in the New England Boxing Hall of Fame.
He was a longtime parishioner of St. Lawrence Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister.
Paul was a devoted husband, caring for his ailing wife until her passing in 2005. He enjoyed running, playing softball and basketball at the YMCA in his spare time. He loved having cookouts and softball games in Bourne with his siblings, nieces, and nephews. Once retired, he enjoyed taking day trips to Foxwoods, and watching baseball, basketball, and football on television.
He is survived by his children, Adam Cardoza, Antonia Cardoza, and Francisca Dennis; his siblings, Ruthie Harness, Raymond, John, Joseph, Charles, and George Cardoza; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday December 3, 2021 at 8:45 AM at St. Lawrence Church. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Visiting hours will be on Thursday December 2, 2021 from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the New Bedford YMCA youth basketball program. Once on the page be sure and click on the dedication button and type in Paul Cardoza. The campaign is for 2021 NB and the campaigner is Tara Pacheco. https://ymcasouthcoast.org/give/support-the-y/ . For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.