Ted N. Cardozo Obituary (1929 - 2023)

Ted N. Cardozo, age 93, passed away on November 3rd at his home on White Bear Lake. Ted graduated from Colorado College in 1951. With his brothers Ralph and John, he managed the family business, Cardozo's Furniture of Saint Paul. After they sold the business, he focused on his real passion of outdoor sports. In addition to being an avid athlete and outdoor enthusiast, he inspired others to embrace his competitive spirit. Although born with severe myopia, Ted’s vision impairment did not slow him down in life. After receiving a pair of skis at the age of three, he soon developed a love of downhill and cross-country skiing. He competed in downhill ski racing in his early years and continued to compete in cross-country skiing well into his 70s. He served as president of the North Star Ski Touring Club, where he helped develop publicly funded cross-country trails throughout the East Metro area, taught ski technique to club members of all ages, and led group ski tours to the Alps and the Colorado Rockies. Some of his most memorable experiences were backcountry ski trips through the Alfred A. Braun Hut System with his friends. Once the snow melted, Ted could usually be found pursuing one of his other outdoor endeavors, including sailboat racing on White Bear Lake, bicycling, kayaking, and rollerblading. He also completed several triathlons. In his 80s, he was still cycling alongside his wife Joyce. In his later years, after vision-loss precluded reading, he spent hours a day listening to books on tape, courtesy of the National Library for the Blind. Preceded in death by son Ted Jr., parents Frances and Ralph Jr., brothers Ralph III and John. Survived by his wife of 68 years, Joyce; children Marly Cardozo (Mark Litvack) and Ross (Donna) Cardozo; and grandson Forrest Cox. Memorials would be appreciated to State Services for the Blind, 2200 University Ave, #240, St. Paul, MN 55114. Private burial. Friends may call on the family at their home on Sunday, November 5th from 4 -7pm.