Clotilde Cartagena

Clotilde “Tilde” Cartagena, 94, of Jersey City, NJ, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026.

Tilde was born on December 16, 1931, in Coamo, Puerto Rico. He was the oldest of seven children and a proud Korean War Veteran who honorably served in the United States Army. He was a long-time resident of Downtown Jersey City since 1956 where he lived out his life and raised his family. He was a skilled softball player with tavern leagues in Downtown Jersey City as a pitcher from the 1960’s to the early 1990’s. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, watching wrestling, listening to music and loved singing his favorite songs which brought warmth to all around listening. He lit up a room when he arrived to spend time with others bringing smiles and love to all that welcomed him. His legacy will be cherished, and he will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all that knew him.

Tilde is reunited with his mother, Ramira Alicea Mateo; his father, Julio Cartagena; his siblings, Pedro Juan, Jose, Julio Anibal, Lidia, and Jose Enrique Cartagena; his daughter, Sonia Cartagena; and his grandson, Pedro Guerrero.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Cornelia Cartagena; his children, Ivelisse Cartagena, Wanda Rivera, Yolanda Cartagena and Joseph Cartagena; his brother, Ángel Luis Cartagena; his sons-in-law, Angel Rivera and Joseph Leach; his grandchildren, Luis Bonilla, Daniel Guerrero, Iliana Mejias Noble, Justin Rivera, Emily (Thomas) Rivera Wong, Erin (Taylor) Leach and Ashley Leach; and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be on Sunday, March 8th from 1PM – 4PM. A chapel service will be held on Monday, March 9th at 9:30AM. Both services will take place at Michalski Funeral Home, 463 Monmouth St. Jersey City, NJ 07302. Internment and military honors will take place in Arlington Cemetery, Kearny, NJ immediately following the chapel service.

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