Faith Cordary, Our Founder

May 28, 1926 – August 15, 2005

Died at home, surrounded by her loving family, after a 3-1/2 year courageous battle with cancer.

Faith was born in New Jersey and grew up in Point Pleasant. After graduating summa cum laude from high school she received a certificate of Registered Nurse from Monmouth University, graduating at the top of her class in anesthesiology. She relocated to South Florida in the early 1950’s and worked at Broward General and Provident Hospitals.

In the 1960’s Faith and her former husband, Edward Cordary founded Edco Brush Manufacturing Company and in 1969, the couple started Trophies by Edco, now known as Edco Awards & Specialties. After assuming the complete leadership in 1978, Faith and Rick Cordary, her son and forthcoming business partner, grew the company to be the largest of it’s type in Broward County employing over 35 dedicated people.

For over 40 years Faith pursued her second love of breeding and showing German Shepherd dogs. Her dogs received national recognition and she held various offices in local dog clubs. 

Faith was a member of St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church, St. Benedict Episcopal Church and in 1996 she joined and enthusiastically supported St. Joseph Polish National Catholic Church in Davie, where until recently she served on the Parish Committee.

Faith is survived by her long-time friend Sig Johnson of Texas, daughter Dr. Patricia Hartnett, her husband Richard Hartnett and their daughter Savannah. Faith is also survived by her son Rick Cordary (President of Edco), his wife Dr. Danuta Szczesna-Cordary, their son Mike Szczesny and her many dedicated employees at Edco. She will be greatly missed by all who came in contact with her, her family, numerous friends from church, the awards industry, dog clubs, cruises and the countless area restaurants she loved to frequent. A mass was celebrated in her memory on Saturday, August 20, 2007 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph Polish National Catholic Church, 5401 SW 64th Avenue, Davie, FL 33314 (tel. 954-581-5293). In lieu of flowers, donations to her church, St. Joseph PNCC were offered.

View or Download an article about Faith published in Sun-Sentinel