Raymond D. Cardoza, Sr., 88, of Wareham.

Born in Bourne, he was the son of the late Manuel J. Cardoza, Sr. and Antonia (Monteiro) Cardoza.

Raymond graduated from Bourne High School, attended U-Mass Amherst and Bridgewater Teachers College. 

A Korean War Era Veteran, Raymond served as Senior Vice-Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2846. 

He was a self-employed building contractor and Real Estate Broker.

Mr. Cardoza served on the Wareham Finance Committee, the Conservation Committee and was elected to the Housing Authority, the Board of Assessors, served as Chairman of the Board of Selectman, Moderator for the Onset Fire & Water District, and Chairman of the Onset Prudential Committee. 

He was a Charter Member and first President of the Cape Verde Islands Relief Association and served as Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee. 

Mr. Cardoza is noted as the first person of Cape Verdean descent to hold high elected office in the United States. 

He greatly enjoyed competitive sports, having played Semi-pro football for several years with the Falmouth All-Stars and Wareham Gateway Club. He was active with youth groups and helped coach Little League Champion Wareham Rangers in 1980. He also bowled with Great Hill League Duckpins in Mattapoisett and Ten Pin leagues in New Bedford and Somerset.

Predeceased by his wife, Alfreida (Balla), Raymond is survived by his children, Thomas of New Bedford, Linda (Dooley) of Plymouth, Raymond Jr. of Vero Beach, FL, and Timothy of Wareham; his sister, Ruthie (Harness); brothers John, Joseph, Charles, and George, 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. 

Interment will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, 1 Bennington Blvd. Bourne, at 12:45 pm, on Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022, followed by a celebration of his life at Pier View Restaurant, 201 Onset Avenue, in Onset.  Please visit www.warehamvillagefuneralhome.com *Please no flowers.