Donald R. Cardis

HUDSON - Beloved Husband and Father, Ground-breaking inventor, cherished Grandfather and Great-Grandfather.

Donald R. Cardis, age 92, of Hudson, Ohio, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2023.

He was born to parents, Philip and Theresa Cardis, on February 11, 1931, in Doylestown, Ohio. He was a graduate of Norton High School and Kent State University. Papa, as he was lovingly known, was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 69 years, Patricia Cardis (nee Althauser).

He spent his life enjoying the cities of Stow, Munroe-Falls, Hudson, and Fort Myers Beach, Florida.

He is survived by his sons, Jeff (Patti), Greg (Michelle), and Scott (Cheryl); daughters, Lynn Miller (Jim Arvay) and Carrie (Bob) Gynn; as well as grandchildren whom he loved so much, Michael, Erin, Hannah, Connor, Dean, and Braeden, as well as four great-grandchildren.

In 1964, Don co-founded Schneller and Associates in Kent, Ohio which would revolutionize a sector of the aviation industry. But as important as his aeronautical inventions were, his first love was family. His kids learned their work ethic through family bonding activities such as oil change Saturday and tire rotation Sunday.

Papa and Mema doted on their grandchildren with games of Euchre, wieners by the fire, as well as fishing (and sometimes even catching). They traveled the world and usually had granddaughters, Erin and Hannah, with them, also known as “The Squad.” Don often reminisced about his days at Norton High School, was inducted into the Norton Athletic Hall of Fame, and recently had the press box at Norton Stadium named after him. He lived an extraordinary life and is finally reunited with the love of his life.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 2:15 PM, at Markillie Cemetery, 410 N. Main Street, Hudson, Ohio. A Celebration of Life will follow at Lake Forest Country Club in Hudson, 100 Lake Forest Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236, from 3:00 - 6:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Norton Youth Football, Keybank, c/o Norton Youth Football, 120 W. Streetsboro Street, Hudson, OH 44236.