Obituary – Joseph John Bosco Cardozo

In memory of
Joseph John Bosco Cardozo
1936 – 2025

Joseph John Bosco Cardozo, Amherst, MA (formerly of Claremont, NH, Mombasa, Kenya and Zanzibar, Tanzania).

Bosco passed peacefully in Amherst on Saturday Feb 1 after a brief hospitalization and exemplary care from medical staff at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. He was 88 years old. By his side were his wife and “security blanket” Hazel, who cared for him faithfully for 60 years, all six children, and many grandchildren. The room was filled with music, pride and laughter as his accomplishments and adventures were recalled. Bosco was fearless, funny, and singular-often referred to as “a character.”

Bosco was born in Zanzibar to Timothy and Beatrice Cardozo of Goa, India, the only brother among one younger and three older sisters. A proud graduate of University College Cork, Ireland for undergraduate and medical degrees, he was first in his medical school class and won the Charles Gold Medal for mastery of human anatomy. He trained as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist in England before practicing in Kenya, the birthplace of his four oldest children, and for 25 years afterwards in his own practice, Valley Ob/Gyn in Claremont, NH, where his two youngest sons were born. His professional skills were deeply admired, while his quirkiness-and signature bright red socks-endeared him to his many colleagues, patients and friends. After his retirement, the family relocated to Amherst in 1997.

Bosco lived fully, reveling in good company, spirits, and food (especially Hazel’s excellent cooking). He was an avid world traveler and denizen of local pubs in dozens of countries on six continents. He especially loved visiting family in England and now reunites eternally with beloved sisters Theresa Moniz and Sr. Zita Cardozo, as well as brother-in-law and lifelong friend Joseph De Lord.

He also enjoyed music, classic movies, and reading, especially mysteries. Bosco had a lovely baritone and often sang around the house and at Sunday mass. He loved gardening, a daily soak in his hot tub, and the occasional cigar. He was a tennis lover who bicycled around the Pioneer Valley well into his ’70s (not without mishaps, but you couldn’t stop Bosco from hitting the road).

Most of all, he loved his family and never stopped smiling good naturedly in their presence. He especially lit up around his grandchildren, who dubbed him “Boppa”: Tom Kane and Kelsey Moniz Kane, Jonah Kane and Noeli Vasquez, Lila, Ruby and Jude Cardozo, Sadhana, Keshini and Leo Cardozo, Asha, Milo and Mira Cardozo and Nica Cardozo.

Bosco is survived by his wife Hazel (Pinto) Cardozo and families of their six children: Karen Cardozo and Jonathan Kane (Amherst, MA); Timothy Cardozo and Jennifer Fuller (New York, NY), Raymond Cardozo and Latika Malkani (Orinda, CA) Kevin Cardozo and Reba Saldanha (Andover, MA), Joseph Cardozo (Los Angeles, CA), and Michael Cardozo and Rebecca Ossorio (Northampton, MA). He also leaves behind beloved sisters, Genevieve (Genny) De Lord and Eulalia (Lally) McDermott (widow of Peter McDermott), along with many nieces and nephews in the U.K. and in-law families of Elaine and Cleto Dos Remedios as well as Joe and Villa Pinto of Vancouver, Canada, with whom he also shared fond memories.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM on Saturday February 8th at St. Brigid’s Church in Amherst, followed by a reception. A subsequent burial and memorial service will take place for extended family and friends, tentatively March 29, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Hazel and Bosco Cardozo Endowment Fund for International Students at the Newman Center, University of Massachusetts Amherst. Donations may be made online at https://form.jotform.com/250335516200039 or sent c/o the Newman Center, 111 Thatcher Road, Amherst, MA 01003.

Eternal rest grant unto him,  O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace.