Robert Contardo

Robert C. Contardo

Robert Charles "Rocky" Contardo, 92, of Duluth, Minnesota and Port St. Lucie, Florida, died Saturday, May 16, 2015 in St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth.

Rocky was born to Frank and Maria (Abbruzzese) Contardo in Duluth, Minnesota on August 30, 1922. He was the fourth of 10 children, growing up in a small central-hillside house on the Boulevard, with a large Italian hillside vegetable garden.

Rocky graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1940 and worked in California for a short time until being drafted into the army in 1941. He married Betty Jean Wainio in Duluth in 1947, where together they raised their four children.

In his youth, Rocky was an avid ski jumper and active member of the Duluth Ski Club, where he won many local, regional, and national awards. His skiing ability led to his being a member, along with many other Duluth skiers, of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division ski troops during World War II, where he proudly served in Italy until he was wounded and returned home.

Rocky was a tireless worker and consummate salesman, always striving to do his best for his family, friends and customers. After his military service he worked in sales at Duluth's Freimuth's Department Store; Duluth Linoleum and Shade; and Baxter Millwork Company. In 1964 he started his own business, St. Charles Kitchens by Contardo, from which he retired in 1984.

Brook trout fishing was Rocky's life-long passion, which he indulged relentlessly with his fishing buddies Frank Kenning and Joe Brozic. With Rocky's passing, the location of Mystery Creek will remain forever unknown. In later life he took up watercolor painting, which he pursued with the same passion. Copies of his paintings are found everywhere.

Rocky was preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters Francis Farrar, Josephine Brozic, Ann Filson, Carmel Nippet, and Mary Giuliani. He is survived by brothers Joseph Contardo, Leonardo Contardo, and Frank (Marge) Contardo, and sister Jean Ansbaugh.

Rocky is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty, and their four children: daughter Barbara (Jim) Schwartz of Carlton, MN, sons Patrick (Robyn Roslak) of Duluth MN, Charles (Karen) of Spokane, WA, and Michael (Marilynn Olsen) of Sartell, MN. Grandchildren Betsy Schwartz (Matt Schiller), Anne Grui (Jeremy), Nicholas Schwartz (Erin), Christian Contardo (Jeanne), Peter Contardo (Nicole), Corin Vavra (Jenna), Eden Boyer (Seth), Briana Contardo (Peter Abrahamsen), and Matson Contardo. Rocky is also survived by 14 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, all of whom he truly loved.

Funeral Service: A private family service will be held. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Duluth MN. Memorials are preferred to the Damiano Center, 204 W. 4th Street, Duluth, MN 55806. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, 727-3555.