Angelo Lewis Lamardo

Angelo (“Buddy”) Lamardo was called home on September 15, surrounded by family. His passing, while not unanticipated after 91 long years on this earth, was sudden and unexpected, as he had lived every single moment to the fullest until his final hours.

Born in 1932 to parents, Angela and Michael, Angelo was the first of four children, raised alongside his brothers, Donald (deceased) and Michael, and sister, Anita (Gerald). Angelo was not only an accomplished Marine and officer of the law, but he was first and foremost a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle to a family that will miss him dearly.

Angelo enlisted to the Marines in June of 1949 at only 17 years old. He served until 1952, attaining the rank of staff sergeant and earning six Korean War Service Battle Stars, a China Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon. After being immediately rushed to the altar two weeks post-discharge by his impatient fiancé, Jean, he quickly started building a family and began his career with the NYPD. Serving the department for 20 years, he rose from his initial assignment as a patrolman in Harlem and the Yorkville sections of Manhattan to the position of Detective in Jamaica Queens.

Angelo was proud of all that he achieved throughout his career; a pride that remains on display in his office via what we lovingly refer to as his “look what I can do” wall. Carefully arranged newspaper clippings, plaques, photos, and artwork depict a lifetime of career achievements that would make even the most successful among us feel wholly inadequate. Most notably, Angelo served as the lead detective on the serial murder case of Joseph Baldi, leading to his promotion to Detective, 2nd grade, ahead of his retirement. So while the rest of us tune into true crime podcasts and documentaries to indulge our curiosities, Angelo didn’t have to settle for learning about the heroes that protect us — he was, and will always be, that hero.

Growing up with a Marine/cop for a father, Christine (Luis), Michael (Linda), Frances (Carlos), and Joseph (Jean) were on the receiving end of loving discipline throughout their childhood, and while it may not be noted in his medical records, they can each confirm that Angelo possessed an extra set of eyes in the back of his head.

He may have been a “hard ass” to his children, but that demeanor certainly softened over time. His grandchildren, Kristen (Robert), Amanda, Thomas, Daniel, Michael, Kathryn, and Laurie; and great-granddaughter, Harper, were lucky enough to know Angelo as the funny, sweet, and warm man who let them help make fresh pasta, shared stories over cold cut “sangwiches,” and taught them how to run his incredibly impressive and expansive model train world, created by his own hand.

Angelo liked to consider himself on the cutting edge of technology as the first to adopt whatever new computer programs or devices became available or buying cameras with the most “megapickles” on the market. While he never quite understood where the cloud was, he nevertheless spent hours upon hours digitizing the endless supply of images that chronicle his many adventures. Ever the explorer, he spent his retirement days traveling the world alongside his wife, and shared those experiences with anyone who was willing to indulge him in an hour-long slideshow complemented by excited commentary.

Angelo had a beautiful life, yet he could never recount anything quite as beautiful as his wife of 71 years. Seven decades after their wedding day, Angelo still referred to Jean as his “bride,” and spoke of her with beaming and unparalleled pride and love. They were attached at the hip and spent every moment of their lives hand-in-hand until he drew his last breath. His love for her was, and is, eternal, and upon hearing her final words, “I’m okay, don’t worry. I’ll meet you there,” he peacefully began his journey to the other side, where he is undoubtedly preparing space for his loved ones as their perpetual protector and provider.

A celebration and remembrance of his life will be held at Casimir Funeral Home in Port Jefferson Station, NY, on Friday, September 22, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM and 7:00 – 9:00 PM. A mass and burial will follow the next day at Infant Jesus Catholic Church on Saturday, September 23, at 10:00 AM.

To share photos of Angelo to be displayed during his memorial, please visit: albums.memento.com/share51730 or click the link below “donations."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send a donation to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in his name. You may click the link below “donations.”