John Cardinale Obituary

Dear Andrea.
It is difficult to think of the number of grieving families today. I hope that in someway all the love and support that so many people are trying to send will somehow find the caring thoughts surrounding you. Both Mark and Judy have had very close friend who have had the heartbreaking loss that you have suffered and want you to know how very sad it was to hear of your loss -all like John so young.
I only knew John in talking to your Mom but i do know that he was a wonderful husband and father. It is good to know that you are surrounded by family and friends who will give you and your two beautiful daughterslove and support always. Your love for the girls will be the best of all in helping them cope the tragic loss of their father.
Thinking of you with love,
Ebba (Terry)

John was a great friend and colleague - one of the best communications professionals that I've come to know over a lengthy career in motorsports. He was literally one of a kind in the business and will be sorely missed both from a professional and personal perspective. God speed John.

Dear Andrea, Emma and Lauren, I was so shocked and saddened to learn about John's passing. Although I was not close friends with John, I kept in touch with him occasionally after we graduated from SF State. Fate had a way of keeping our paths crossed throughout the years -- from the time I inherited his Antioch Speedway beat in the late 1990s to a random street encounter in Walnut Creek 5 years ago. In between, I worked in public relations for a nonprofit and asked John if he could donate racing tickets to our Silent Auction, which he enthusiastically did not once but twice. With each random meeting, the first thought that came to my mind was this: "Man, I have to do a better job of staying in touch with John. What a great guy!" Now, I can only lament not doing so. His smile, sense of humor and genuine outgoing personality are traits you wish you could find in everyone you meet. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

ANDREA, EMMA and LAUREN: I send you my most sincere condolences on the loss of your husband and father. I worked with John at the Valley Times in Pleasanton in the 1990s. I hired him away from the Ledger to be my assistant sports editor, and he was much more than that. He was my right-hand man, doing much of what I should probably have been doing as sports editor, but was unable to because of other coverage responsibilities. In many ways, it was a thankless job for John. He didn't get the credit he deserved for being absolutely invaluable, but he never once complained to me. He was a true team player and a true professional. I am honored that I hired him and I am honored to have worked with him. I'm sure his stint at the Valley Times is just the least of what he accomplished in his far-too-short lifetime. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you, not just today, but going forward.

To Andrea and the girls, our sincere condolences. John was the best at what he did and was truly generous with his time, support and know-how. At the raceway, he made everybody feel like a best friend and honored guest. Throughout this ordeal, he turned obstacles into challenges and never lost his positive outlook. He'll be missed by John's Army and many, many others.

I worked closely with John more than a decade ago and stayed in touch with him after he left for Sears Point. A finer man you will not meet. Always friendly, always looking out for others. To the Cardinale clan, please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many, many people. RIP John. I'm better for having known you.

Andrea, Emma and Lauren,
I am so sorry for your loss. John was a great man whom I truly admired. I was always impressed by his love of his family and his positive attitude throughout his battle. He will be missed greatly by so many. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Denise Lucido and Family

We are very sorry for your loss. You and the girls are in our thought and prayers. John was a very special man. He will be missed.

John, you will be missed.

I spent many years as a volunteer Track Ambassador. Not everyone at the track treated volunteers with any amount of respect or gratitude. John was the exception. He always treated us like paid co-workers and was truly a great guy and a gentleman. There is a special place in Heaven for people like John. May he rest in peace and sincere condolences to his family and many friends.

To Andrea, Emma, and Lauren, and the entire Cardinale family,

My condolences to all of you concerning your tremendous loss. I will forever appreciate having John as a loyal friend and boss. He was a funny guy, always cracking jokes and looking out for all of his racing family. I met him when he first came to Sonoma Raceway and over the years, he made tremendous strides improving the track and making it into one of the favorite tracks for all the different series' that came to race in Sonoma. More than one I have heard drivers say, "Sonoma Raceway treats us better than any other track we go to, and they truly appreciated that.

John has meant more to me than I can say in words. I will miss him terribly, and Sonoma Raceway will never, ever be the same without him. But as a member of "John's Army," I will continue to cover the track as I have for many years and do the best job I can do…for John. He will forever be in my heart; I will never forget him.

If you knew John then you knew how much he loved his family. Andrea, Emma, and Lauren were his whole life and he often spoke about them and how much he loved them, as well as his extended family. He was a one-of-a-kind man, the likes of which we shall never see again.

God bless you Andrea. I will pray for you daily and for the girls too. God will put his arms around you and give you comfort, and over time he will lessen some of the pain of losing your husband and your children's father. Trust in Him.

Love,
Jeannie

Thinking of you and your family, sharing the wonder of a beautiful life and the sorrow of its loss. My deepest sympathies.