Jorge F. Cardenas was born on April 23, 1949, in Callao, Peru. His parents were Jorge and Felicita Cardenas. Jorge received a Bachelor of Law and Science and also a Master of Science in Industrial Relations from San Martin de Porres University in Lima, Peru. He immigrated to Rhode Island in 1993 with his wife Vivanco and three children.

Jorge had an extensive career working in government, non-profit organizations, and business. He worked as a Human Resources Director for 20 years in Peru. In Rhode Island, he worked with the Parents Making A Difference AmeriCorps Program, and for the past 20 years, he was Director of Community Relations, Sodexo School Services.

He earned a Master's Degree in Science Management from Revans University, UAL-Boulder, Colorado.

Jorge believed in giving back to his community through supporting and advocating for parent involvement in education. He volunteered with Providence Schools and served as a mentor for Latino students and after school programs. He was active on several boards of directors, including Serve Rhode Island, Trinity Repertory Academy School, AARP, Mt. Hope Learning Center, First Works, and Latino Dollars for School.

His goal was to build partnerships between non-profits, public officials, and schools to address quality of life issues for families and communities. In 1999 he established the Back to School Celebration Program, which has distributed approximately 600 school supplies to school children in small plastic shopping bags. After two decades, Jorge was able to organize and assembled over 16,000 backpacks with school supplies. He was especially proud of this community outreach program.

In recognition of his consistent commitment to community engagement, he was the recipient of several awards, including Cesar E. Chavez Community Award,
Rhode Island Covering Kids, Rhode Island National Service Award, RILPAC, Bill Richardson Award, Sodexo Diversity Inclusion Award, and Sodexo Outstanding Contributor Award.

Jorge leaves to mourn his death his wife, Rosa Cardenas, a daughter Ana Cecilia and three sons Jorge Luis, Nilton Cesar, and Aldo Giovanni, grandchildren Joe, Nilton and María Paz. Great-grandchildren. Daughter-in-laws María, Obdulia and María Isabel.
We love you, respect you, and YOU will forever be remembered as a Kind soul that loves his family and community.

Visitation will be held Sunday, from 1pm until 4pm in The Keefe Funeral Home, Five Higginson Ave, Lincoln. RI Laws state that only 10 visitors will be allowed during the visitation at any time. Please plan accordingly. All social distancing and mask protocols will be followed and enforced.