Mr. Ricardo Cordon MD

Ricardo Cordon, MD also known as Chaca, Papa, Tío, el Pelón, el Jefe, and To, 69 years young, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 14, 2011 at Berkshire Medical Center after a heroic battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Ricardo was born on September 3, 1941 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He was the youngest and much loved son of Luis and Amalia Cordon. Ricardo grew up in Guatemala City and throughout his life kept in close, if not daily, contact with his siblings Luis, Blanca, Oscar, and Carmen. They shared a special bond that spanned time and distance. Ricardo married his wife, Magdalena (Maggie) De Leon Regil in 1966 and together they moved to the United States so he could pursue his career in medicine. In 1976 they moved to Pittsfield, MA where he watched his children, Rick and Ana, and nephew Jose grow up. While his work as a Pulmonologist at BMC kept him very busy, he was a steady and supportive presence at the multitude of ski races, tennis matches, soccer games and school activities they participated in. He was educated at the Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala, Duke University School of Medicine, the University of Maryland at Baltimore Medical Center and The University of Missouri at Columbia Medical Center. As the first pulmonologist and board certified intensivist to practice at BMC, Ricardo not only loved his job but he also loved the doctors, nurses, staff and patients with whom he worked. Everyone he worked with became an extension of his family, and he of theirs. Ricardo was an avid baseball fan and loved the New York Yankees. His devotion to the Yankees remained intact despite having lived in Red Sox country for over 30 years. He loved to travel and especially enjoyed sharing a good meal and a glass of wine with family and friends. Above all else, Ricardo loved his family. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than time spent with his wife, children, siblings, grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Ricardo is survived by his wife, Maggie, his son, Rick and his wife, Kathy, of Arlington, VA, and his daughter Ana and her husband Tim Suffish of Pittsfield, MA, his grandchildren Gabriela and Zachary Suffish and Sophia and William Cordon. He is also survived by his nephew, Jose Cordon, who was like a son to him, and his children, Santino and Maddox. In addition, he is survived by his siblings and their spouses; Vilma Cordon, Blanca and Angel Garcia, Oscar and Miriam Cordon and Carmen Morales. He also leaves behind several much loved nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He will be in our hearts forever. Funeral services for Mr. Ricardo A. Cordon, MD will be Friday, August 19, 2011 at 11 am in Sacred Heart Church, celebrated by Rev. Jonathan Reardon. Burial will be private at a later date. Calling hours at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield will be Thursday, August 18, 2011 from 4 – 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Berkshire Medical Center, Care of the Dwyer Funeral Home and will be donated to the Critical Care Unit in which Mr. Cordon was instrumental in establishing.

Mr. Ricardo Cordon MD

September 3, 1941 - August 14, 2011