Obituary of Albert Anthony Cardone

Albert Anthony Cardone of New Canaan, CT passed away on November 3, 2023, days short of his 89th birthday.  He died of complications from a long battle with prostate cancer.

Albert was born on November 9, 1934, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to the late Secondo and Josephine Razzano Cardone.  He attended local parochial schools including Our Lady of Loretto and Bishop Laughlin Memorial High School.  After completing his bachelor’s degree in accounting from St. John’s University in Queens, NY in 1956, he joined the US Marine Corps. 

As a USMC Second Lieutenant, Albert was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, to assist with the restoration efforts following WWII.  Upon his return to the states, Albert married his college sweatheart, Jeanne F. Boudreau (who passed in 1988), and finished his term of service at Parris Island, SC. 

After completing his military service, Albert was recruited to the accounting firm Haskins & Sells, which subsequently became Deloitte & Touche LLC, a worldwide accounting and consulting firm.  Prior to leaving Deloitte, Albert achieved the role of Partner and National Industry Director for Health Care.  In 1985, Albert was sought after by Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield to assume the role of Deputy CEO prior to his installation as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, where he served tirelessly until his retirement in 1993. For his many achievements, St. John’s University awarded him an Honorary Doctorate Degree.

After many years as a widower, Albert was fortunate to find love again and, in 1995, married Beverly Shamas Palmer. Albert had a devotion to family, a zest for life, and an energy level that impressed people throughout his life.  He always considered having 6 daughters one of his greatest accomplishments.  His love of boating and fishing were lifelong passions that brought him contentment, excitement, and joy.  He also enjoyed playing folk and classical guitar, continuing his love of the Italian language, and more recently, his interests included the New Canaan Men’s Club Book Club, Al’s Gals Book Club, and an interest in wood carving.  Albert had a commitment to protecting marine life and waterways, especially the efforts of “Save our Sound” to protect Long Island Sound.  Among his many associations and memberships were the Downtown Athletic Club (NYC), the Sandy Hook Pilots Association, Woodway Country Club and the New Canaan Men’s Club. His faith in Padre Pio, as a son of Pietrelcina, Italy, was unwavering.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Beverly Shamas Cardone and five daughters:  Cynthia Cardone of Clinton, CT; Nancy Cardone of Jupiter, FL; Jeanne Bradley (Chris) of Jupiter, FL; Patricia Kuehner (Paul) of New Canaan, CT; and Victoria Cardone (Martin Reiser) of Washington, D. C.; as well as 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.  Albert was predeceased by his first wife of 28 years, Jeanne Boudreau Cardone (1935 – 1988); his daughter, Lisa Cardone (1966 – 2015); and four of his five brothers.

He is already greatly missed.  Hoyt’s Funeral Home will conduct the private final arrangements for the immediate family; interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan.  A Celebration of Life is planned for late spring.  The family encourages donations to organizations dedicated to marine conservation.  A fellowship position was funded at The Safina Center, formerly the Blue Ocean Institute, in honor of his dedication to our oceans and marine life.