Todd James Cartwright, 46, a resident of Sedro-Woolley, Washington, passed away Wednesday November 17, 2010 at Virginia Mason Hospital after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
Todd was born on February 12, 1964 in Bismark, North Dakota to Gerald and Elaine (Guilbert) Cartwright. The family moved to Edmonds, Washington in 1966 where Todd went to Chase Lake Elementary through the fourth grade. In 1974, the family moved to Sedro Woolley where Todd attended Lucille Umbarger Elementary in Burlington. Todd graduated from Burlington-Edison High School in 1982. In his senior year of high school Todd was selected to the All Northwest League football team as an offensive & defensive lineman. After high school, Todd joined the Naval Reserve and served his country for 8 years. Todd earned his AA from Skagit Valley College and then went on to continue his education at Western Washington University. In 1989 he went to work for Superior Systems Inc. as an office manager where he continued to work until he was unable to work anymore due to his illness.
Todd’s love and interest in sports led him to become a coach for girls youth soccer. He coached select soccer for Skagit Storm for roughly 10 years. Todd traveled with one of his teams to Spain and won the consolation bracket in the Donasti Cup. Todd touched the lives of many young soccer players and helped them strive to be the best they could be. After Todd stopped coaching he became an avid fan and season ticket holder of the Seattle Sounders.
Some of Todd’s favorite hobbies included going to the movies with his nieces and nephews, playing poker, listening to music, watching sports with dad and monitoring his fantasy football team.
Todd was preceded in death by his Grandmother & Grandfather Guilbert, and his Grandmother Mary Sloan.
Todd is survived by his parents, Gerald and Margaret Elaine Cartwright; his brother, Kevin & his wife Kim, their daughters, Kelsey & Kara; his brother, Dean and his wife Teresa, their children, Shawn, Lindsi, Cameron, Cole & Cassidy; his sister, Shannon Lloyd and her husband Brian, and their sons Brett & Dylan; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Todd will be greatly missed by his beloved dog Cosmo.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation at any Skagit State Bank to the Todd Cartwright Memorial Scholarship fund that is currently being set up. Information will be available at the reception following the church service.
There will be a three part service at the following locations. Funeral Mass at Saint Charles Catholic Church, 935 Peterson Road, Burlington at 11:30 AM, Saturday, November 27, 2010, followed by a Committal Service at Burlington Cemetery and then a reception at the Burlington Community Center. If anyone would like to share stories about how Todd touched their lives we will have a time set aside for sharing at the reception. Services and cremation arrangements are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
Todd came into our lives through soccer. He coached two of our girls for several years and was always willing to give of his time for the girls. He really cared about each one of the girls on the team and took the time to get to know each one. He was a great example for them. Our family will always appreciate the impact that Todd made in our lives.
Can’t believe the young fellow I played softball so many years ago has left us. The memories will aways remain. My heart goes out to Jerry, Elaine and family. God has his arm around him.
It is hard for me to describe my deep respect and love for Todd and my appreciation for his huge and beneficial impact on my life and the life of my family. His commitment to his players and their families was complete. Never has there been a coach and friend so willing to help and to spend an enormous amounts of time on behalf of others. And he was the best organized coach I have known. Todd Cartwright laid a foundation for my daughters that is ingrained in their lives, not just in sport, but as an example of personal service. Megan, Anna, Dorothy and I received so much from Todd. He set standards for service that few of us can meet, but all of us can appreciate. And he made me smile, laugh, work hard, and cry at times.