Norwood Park Imperials Alumni Forum
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This was posted on the website for the Holy Name (Garfield) Cadets. This could be the obit for MANY drum corps mothers across the country! :)
Gosh, how many of OUR parents did stuff like this for us???? :)
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Mrs. Connie Kardash, "Mrs. K",
beloved member of the Holy Name Cadet family and former Quarter Mistress (1953-61) passed away today following a brief illness, peacefully and surrounded by family. She was approaching her 98th birthday and, until today, held the distinction of “Oldest Surviving Member of the Cadet Family”. She is the mother of Cadet soprano bugler, Bill Kardash, who marched with the Holy Name Cadets and later the Garfield Cadets from 1952-61. She was predeceased by her husband, John, a long-time member of the Cadet Booster Association and Treasurer of the Holy Name Cadets during the 1950s. “Mrs. K”, joined the Cadets in 1953 after Mr. Bill Kemmerer, Sr., (“Chief”), Corps Director, heard about her seamstress skills and, literally, knocked on her door to ask her to join the Cadet Staff. She was a great asset to the corps, fitting Cadets and maintaining more than 60 uniforms for the active marching corps and “rookies” for 8 years – all as a volunteer. In 1958, after the Cadets left the sponsorship of Holy Name Church, she traveled to NYC with “Chief” and selected, purchased and altered the temporary uniforms of shorts, knit shirts, knee socks and “Aussie-style” hats. These iconic uniforms were used when the Garfield Cadets defended their American Legion Junior National Championship during the summer of 1958 in Chicago. During the 1959 season, the Cadets selected an interim uniform of long-sleeve white satin shirt with maroon collar and cuffs, accompanied by the traditional white twill pants, gold cummerbund and sash, topped off with the West Point-style plumed shako. “Mrs. K” designed, managed and stitched more than 60 satin shirts and accompanying cummerbunds and sashes during the winter months so the Cadets would have their new uniforms as the 1959 drum corps season began. This dedication caused her to spend many late nights and weekends working to bring the Cadets the best uniforms possible. To assist with the work, she asked her sister, Nellie Di Domenico, “Aunt Nellie”, also an accomplished seamstress, to help. Soon thereafter, “Aunt Nell” also became a dedicated member of the Cadet Staff and spent more than 27 years with the Cadets, until retiring in 1984. “Aunt Nell’s daughter, Marie, was also a long-time volunteer for the Cadets, having served as Treasurer and on their Board of Directors. Truly, a family effort. In her later years, Mrs. Kardash remained active and attended the 50th Anniversary of the Holy Name Cadets 1957 American Legion National Championship in Atlantic City. She was honored for her service and received a Presentation American Flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol on the anniversary date of the 1957 National Championship. In addition, she attended the 75th Anniversary of the Holy Name Cadets held in Montclair, NJ in August 2009. She will be missed by all. May she rest in peace.
The family will receive friends and visitors at Aloia Funeral Home, 180 Harrison Avenue, Garfield, NJ, on Sunday, January 24th, from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM at the Church of the Most Holy Name, 99 Marsellus Place, Garfield, NJ 07026, on Monday, January 25. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery , Outwater Lane, Saddle Brook, NJ. Contributions may be made in her honor to the Cadets Alumni Association. Checks made out to “Garfield Cadets Alumni” should be sent to George King, 69 Thomas Street, Clifton, NJ 07013. Please indicate that your contribution is in honor of Mrs. Kardash so the family can be notified of your kindness. Email condolences to the family can be sent to www.aloiafuneral.com
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A personal note from a grateful Cadet: Mrs. K’s many selfless contributions to our corps appear above, but between the lines is the story of a life well lived by a beloved and very gracious lady. To Cadets fortunate enough to have marched during her years of most active contribution, we will never forget the impact she had on all our lives as we moved through adolescence into adulthood. The Cadets survive and thrive today because of people like Mrs. K who worked in the background without thought of compensation or thanks. Now, as she rejoins her husband John, we rejoice that we had the special blessing of having been touched by her life and good works. Well done Mrs. K, and for all those times when we didn’t say it but should have…Thank You!!! For Holy Name shall always be…
Gosh, I am surprised that nobody has commented about all of the "corps mothers" who helped us through the years. I remember Caroline Grana most of all!
My own mother, Phyllis. Mrs. Minor. Mrs. Wills.
But gosh, there were so many others. Helping with the corps on turnouts. Helping with uniforms. Running fund raisers, dinners, etc.
