Dennis Michael Kardos, 67, passed away unexpectedly after a brief stay at Albany Medical Center. 

Born October 16, 1951 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Dennis was the son of the late Joseph and Caroline (Theodos) Kardos.  He grew up in Easton, Connecticut and graduated from Joel Barlow High School, Class of 1969, in Redding, CT.  Shortly after, he enlisted in the Army National Guard where he proudly served as a mechanic. In 1972, Dennis met his future beloved wife Carolyn O’Brien. The two were married on March 3, 1973.  Following an injury from a car accident, Dennis was honorably discharged and medically retired. 

During his retirement, Dennis was able to dedicate himself to his lifelong love of all things automotive.  He began racing in the street stock division at the Waterford Speedway in Waterford, CT.  Later, he moved onto racing asphalt modifieds. In the weekly races he participated in, he was known to be an aggressive driver always looking to win.  Dennis loved being involved in everything from fabricating car parts to celebrating with the community of racing buddies he was immersed in.

In 1980, Dennis and Carolyn took a huge leap of faith and moved from the fast-paced racing scene in Connecticut to the slower farmlands of upstate New York.  They believed this would offer the best lifestyle for the family they hoped to have.  After remodeling and renovating two homes and welcoming two sons, the Kardos family settled in a house Dennis built himself with the help of his younger brother, David, and they have enjoyed for over 20 years.  Despite the change in scenery, Dennis was able to continue racing but with the Midstate Antique Stockcar Club.  He also remained actively involved by building and fixing cars for other drivers, assisting down at the tracks, and sharing his wealth of knowledge he had acquired from his years of experience.  When he wasn’t at a racetrack, he could likely be found in his garage mentoring his boys and shaping their knowledge and skills in building and crafting.  His passion directly translated into his sons’ expertise in their own adulthoods. Most recently, Dennis and Carolyn thrived soaking up Florida sunshine, living the RV lifestyle, and escaping the harsher New York winters.

Dennis leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 46 years, Carolyn; two sons: Joseph Kardos and his wife Katie, and Michael Kardos; two grandchildren Isabelle and Alexander; three siblings Jean (Kardos) Caserta, Gary Kardos, and David Kardos and his partner Janet Ohradan; in-laws Paul O’Brien and his wife Pam, Kathleen (O’Brien) O’Shea and her husband Marty, George O’Brien and his wife Melissa, Marylou (O’Brien) Irizarry and her husband Ruben, Patrick O’Brien and his wife Heather; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother-in-law Roland Caserta and niece Alison Caserta.

Dennis will be best remembered by those closest to him for his beard of which he was so proud, the various ongoing projects he would build from scratch in his garage, and his love for his family.

Calling hours will be held at Dakin Funeral Home in New Berlin on Wednesday, May 29 from 3 – 5 p.m.  A celebration of his life will follow at the Pittsfield Fire House.  A burial service will be held privately in Connecticut at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to be made in Dennis’s honor to either the American Stroke Association (https://www.strokeassociation.org/) or Hope for Heather (https://www.hopeforheather.org/).