Hazel Louise Cardillo

Hazel Louise (Kanzler) Cardillo, 73, was a light so bright that those blessed to know her are forever warmed by her glow. As the sun rose on Monday, November 6th, 2023, Hazel succumbed to a valiant fight against ALS. Haze (as she liked to be called) was born on May 23rd, 1950, in Irvington, New Jersey to the late John and Hazel (Hendry) Kanzler, and stepfather Ernst Velle. She spent her childhood in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, and graduated from Jefferson Township High School. At the age of 15, she met Michael Joseph, her beloved husband of 54 years, while vacationing at Jones Beach. They made their home in the village of Port Jefferson, Long Island where they raised their two daughters, Nicole and Cherie, and welcomed four grandchildren to the world. Haze was selfless and her joyful, giving nature touched the lives of many, including the countless students she taught as an ESL teacher for Comsewogue School District and as an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University. Haze filled the world with song, playing piano and singing in the choir at the local United Methodist Church for many years. She lived a life of simple pleasures: strong cups of morning coffee, birds at her kitchen window, warm showers, beach walks, drives to the North Fork, wood burning fires, cozy pajamas, old movies, brisk fall days, peaceful snowfalls, and the sound of the ferry foghorn pulling into the harbor. Much like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, she, too, believed “there is no place like home.” Haze is predeceased by her eldest brother, John, and survived by her loving husband, Michael Joseph Cardillo, their children Nicole (and Christopher) Barisic and Cherie (and Jonathan) Totillo and their grandchildren Claire, Mabel, Ada, and Isaac, her sisters, Carolyn and Jean, along with many dear nieces and nephews and their adored rescue dog, Mindy. We invite guests to join us in remembering Haze at her memorial service on Monday, November 13th from 5-9pm at Moloney Funeral Home, 523 Patchogue Road, Port Jefferson Station. A private burial to follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.