Edmund “Eddie” Cardona Jr. passed away peacefully on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, at Natividad Hospital in Salinas, CA. He was 79 years old. Eddie was born on March 25, 1946, in Brownsville, TX, to Edmundo Cardona and Guadalupe (Perez Uribe) Cardona. Although Eddie never married, he lived a full, simple, and happy life as a much-loved and highly respected brother and uncle.

Eddie graduated from North Salinas High School as part of the Class of 1967. He also loved art and pursued his passion by continuing his education at Hartnell College. Selfless and staunchly dedicated to his family, he ultimately left school after a year to assist in running the family restaurant and bar, owned by his grandparents. He later worked as a Yellow Cab driver, and eventually as a parts delivery and shuttle driver for Salinas Toyota, where he retired after over 25 years of service to the local community.

In retirement, Eddie found joy in life’s simple pleasures—having coffee and a chocolate donut at Alvin Donut, eating breakfast at McDonald's, washing his 2000 Cadillac, or having coffee at Chevron while chatting with community members. He especially enjoyed the family’s traditional “coffee time” at his eldest sister’s home, spending quality time with loved ones. On weekends, if he wasn’t at home watching his favorite sports teams—the Jets, 49ers, Giants, and Warriors—he was out supporting his nieces and nephews at their competitive sports events around Salinas.

Eddie loved movies and going to the theater. He was a devoted fan of the Marvel Universe, the Star Wars saga, and action films. Most nights, he could be found watching old movies and classic TV shows from the ’50s and ’60s with his youngest sister. As a lover of the arts, Eddie also deeply enjoyed music and followed the rock band “The Warning” on social media. He often spent quiet hours reading the bible or relaxing in his '94 Toyota Pickup while smoking a cigarette, and chatting with neighbors at the Villa San Juan Apartments.

Eddie is survived by his three sisters: Ninfa (Cris) Santa Ana, Emma Cardona Rodriguez, and Rosie Uribe.

He also leaves behind his beloved nieces and nephews: Cris (Alison) Santa Ana, Mary (Ryan) Tompkins, Ray (Jamie) Santa Ana, Marcus Tanawan, Michael (Becky) Rodriguez, and Amanda (Armand) Oliverio; as well as numerous grandnieces, grandnephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

Family friends and all whose lives Eddie touched are warmly invited to attend a viewing on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., followed by the Rosary at 6:00 p.m., at Healey Mortuary, 405 N. Sanborn Road, Salinas, CA.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at:  

Madonna del Sasso Church, 320 E. Laurel Drive, Salinas, CA 93906. 

Burial will follow at:

Garden of Memories Memorial Park, 

850 Abbott Street, Salinas, CA.

Please join the family to remember Eddie, share memories, offer support, and enjoy the simple comfort of one another’s company—just as Eddie always did.