Obituary of Judge Richard J. Cardamone

The Honorable Richard J. Cardamone (Ret.), 90, of Clinton, passed away on October 16, 2015, with his loving wife, Kate, by his side. Dick was born in Utica on October 10, 1925, a son of Joseph J. and Josephine Scala Cardamone. He was educated at local schools and Northwood School in Lake Placid. During World War ll, he joined the U.S. Navy at age 17, serving in the Pacific as the Commanding Officer of a submarine chaser. He graduated from Harvard College in 1948, and received his law degree from Syracuse University Law School in 1952. Upon his graduation from law school, Dick entered private practice in Utica. During his ten years as a practicing attorney, he was associated with Sheldon Judson and the law firm of Ferris Kehoe Cardamone & Tenney. Dick served as Oneida County Republican Chairman for more than three years until he was appointed to the New York State Supreme Court by Governor Rockefeller in 1962 and then elected to that position in the next general election. He was designated to the Appellate Division, Fourth Department in 1971 and served as an Associate Justice of that Court until 1981 when he was appointed by President Reagan to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In 1993, he became a Senior Circuit Judge. Dick married Catherine Baker Clarke on August 28, 1946 in Holland Patent, New York. He is survived by his wife, Kate; his 10 children: Richard (Rick) and Karen Vonderhaar, Josephine (Joey), Catherine (Katechen), Cecelia and Michael Buckley, Mary Brian, Ann, Margaret (Meg), Roderick (Rod) and Lara Cardamone, Amy and Razel Kusumaatmadja, and William (Will) and Karen Sammon; and by Joseph (Jef) Saunders. He is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; his sister, Angela B. O'Donnell (Edge); and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph J. Cardamone. As a judge on the prestigious United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Dick --- known as "Judge Cardamone" to the many litigants and attorneys who appeared before him over more than twenty-five years, and "RJC" to the law clerks who worked in his chambers --- presided over federal appellate cases appealed from district courts in Connecticut, New York, and Vermont. He maintained chambers in both the Alexander Pirnie Federal Courthouse on Broad Street in Utica and the historic federal courthouse now known as the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse at 40 Foley Square in Lower Manhattan. When nominated to the Second Circuit in 1981, Dick told the New York Times, "I would hope that my reputation is as a judge who is independent-minded and fair. … I really don't consider myself a political person anymore; I consider myself a judge." His former colleague, Second Circuit Chief Judge Robert A. Katzmann, called Dick, a "long-serving, dedicated jurist, who was the epitome of collegiality and kindness." His former law clerks described him as an inspiring mentor, brilliant writer, and kind and humorous boss who was remarkably humble for being so well accomplished and respected. Dick's judicial opinions were known for their literary flourishes and clear reasoning. Dick worked hard and often anguished over his decisions, desiring to always reach a fair and just outcome. He once wrote in an opinion, "How one wishes to decide a case comes lightly to mind, on a wing; but often how one must decide it comes arduously, weighed down by somber thought." But as seriously as he took his work, Dick frequently poked fun at himself. He said that his short height meant he was "seldom mistaken for a judge." He relished telling stories of his wife and his children, and he took great joy in hearing his law clerks describe their plans to propose engagement or to find jobs as attorneys. The family offers their heartfelt thanks to- the supportive, warm and festive staff at Preswick Glen, the remarkably devoted, thoughtful and tender team at Harding Nursing Home and the four human angels who stayed and offered aide - Luannn, Sis, Tina and Carrie. Family and Friends are invited to call on Thursday, October 22, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., 35 College Street, Clinton, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Historic Old Saint John's Church in Utica at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2015 followed by internment in Saint Agnes Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends may consider a donation to The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc.