Josh Cardiello Obituary: Buford, Georgia Candlelight Night
Joshua Gerard “Josh” Cardiello, 30, of Buford, Georgia, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at a hospital in Buford. Cardiello, a devoted husband, father and community member, was remembered for his loyalty, kindness and commitment to family and friends.
Mr. Cardiello was born March 24, 1995, in Houston, Texas. After graduating from Buford High School, he attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In the Buford community he was known as a reliable presence and a friend to many. He later became involved with Who We Play For, a nonprofit focused on heart screenings and access to automated external defibrillators, a cause that became meaningful to him after the loss of his brother.
“Josh had a way of lifting others around him — he made people feel included and supported,” a longtime friend said in a community remembrance. “He was always there for his daughter, his wife, and the people he cared about.”
He was preceded in death by his brother, Jacob Allen Cardiello, and his grandmothers, Karen Cardiello and Linda Reis. Survivors include his wife, Allison Frazier Cardiello; daughter, Amelia Cardiello; his parents, Jay Cardiello of New Port Richey, Fla., and Kerri O’Kelley (Bryan) of Suwanee, Ga.; grandfather, Larry Reis of Dunedin, Fla.; mother‑in‑law, Rhonda Frazier of Buford; brother‑in‑law Alan (Morgan) Frazier of Buford; and step‑siblings Ashley Cash (Matt) of Gillsville, Ga., and Hunter O’Kelley (Brea) of Augusta, Ga.
Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 10, from noon to 2 p.m., at Buford First Baptist Church, 4550 Hamilton Mill Road, Buford. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in Mr. Cardiello’s memory be made to Who We Play For, supporting efforts to promote heart health screenings and emergency response preparedness.
A celebration of his life and legacy will focus on his devotion to family, his role as a friend and mentor, and his commitment to causes that mattered to him. He will be laid to rest following services.