Charles J. Cardini, age 73, died unexpectedly at his home on November 21, 2016. He was born on November 1, 1943, in Milan, Italy and son of the late Carlo Cardini and Eleanore Lavazzari Cardini.

“Charlie,” if you worked with him or knew him casually, or “Cheech” to loved ones, family and childhood friends, joined the General Electric Company Apprentice Program shortly after his graduation from Niskayuna High School in 1961. He spent the last 30 years of his GE career as an Instructor and Technical Support for Gas Turbines at the GE Training Center in Niskayuna, NY. 

His life however, was not defined by his career but more importantly by the passions he pursued in his spare time. He was a talented photographer using his natural artistic eye and skill to capture the power and grace of modern locomotives and beauty of thoroughbred racehorses in action. He was a lifelong lover of all animals, ranging from turtles, to cats, to horses, and was never without a pet in his life and home. 

But those who knew him best understood that his greatest passion and comfort was music. As a music enthusiast and an accomplished musician on the guitar, he was particularly knowledgeable and devoted to the music of the 60s and 70s. During that time, he was never happier than when he was watching performances in the small intimate venues of New York City’s Fillmore East and Saratoga Springs’ Cafe Lena. He taught his children that Eric Clapton could make his guitar speak and give you chills if you listened closely enough, and that nobody could tell a story through song like Bob Dylan.

Cheech is survived by his loving family: son Jeff Cardini (Krista), grandchildren Elizabeth, William, Sophia and Jack of Norwood, MA; daughter Melissa Trombetta (Bryan), grandchildren Elsa and Luke of Ossining, NY; and son Peter (Heather) and grandson Niko of Derry, NH.

If you wish to express your online condolences or view the Obituary, please visit our website at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours or service; instead they wish to honor his memory with an excerpt from the song “Forever Young” written by Bob Dylan.

May God's bless and keep you always

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung

May you stay

Forever young

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