Dave was my intern at Coral Gables High in the early '70s. When my department head brought him to my door for our first meeting, I remember taking a step back at the fact that he so fully occupied the space in front of me with shoulders almost three feet wide and arms of a size that would have made Charles Atlas proud.  
He turned out to be one of the smartest, best-informed men I have ever met.  My classes took to him immediately, because of his size, obviously, but also for the stories he could spin about historical figures. He wore a no-nonsense expression that could not conceal his kind and nurturing heart. One day his supervisor popped in on us to sit through a full class period. Impressed by the story he told about the Vietnam War, she asked, "How is it that you know such detail about these things?"
"I was a special operative for the CIA," he said without the slightest trace of guilt or hesitation. I don't know whether he ever admitted the lie to the supervisor. He got an "A" grade for his internship.
Dave got me into bodybuilding that year, a practice I have continued to this day.  At 78 years old, I feel I owe much of my good health to him. 
'
"

Sad to hear. I used to work with him at Paradise Gym above bagel emporium. He was from Brooklyn and I was also. Nice guy.

My condolences to the family of Mr. Mandel. He was my teacher in the Upward Bound program at the University of Miami. He made his history/government classes competitive, which made it fun. I learn quite a bit in his class. He cared about us and the program. He helped us the best he knew. His stories and knowledge of history were entertaining and impressive. Though not the same, I do miss Mr. Mandel and appreciate the time we had with him. 
    We would test him on any date in history and he would know what was going on, he read a few newspapers a day, he was on the commercial as a trucker running over a frog for a game or something, he encourage me to run for VP in student government, he would say it’s not what you know but who you know. He would give you that wink letting you know he knew what was really going on. I know he’s in a better place. God you his family & friends.

R.I.P. David Mandel

I met Dave in school when we were 12 years old and we were classmates through High School. He had a love for working out and muscles that had muscles, He was the strongest kid, yet the most gentle and modest. Everybody liked David and his sharp wit and mind. Anyone who had the privilege to know him, was a very fortunate person. 

A shot of Dave from our last head-shot session. 

I offer my condolences. David Mandel meant a lot to us. It was an honor to know him as my godfather.  

Sincerely,

Ian Jackson


Dave Mandel and  friends .
Kodak  moments. 

Dave lives on in the memories of his family and many friends over the years in the “Mandel Stories.”
When I met Dave Mandel in 1972 he was wearing a Marine Corps jacket and he owned a 1962 blue Pontiac from New York. He looked like a combination of   Joe Palooka, Li’l Abner and Superman. Mandel ran the gym at Coral Gables Health Spa, and he later worked at Coral Gables High School as a History teacher. Dave was such a history buff  that you could take his guess over most text books facts. 
I shared with Mandel that two years earlier I had made a difficult decision between graduate school and the Marine Corps. After he responded enthusiastically about the pros and cons of his career as a Marine, I was ready to reconsider the Marines.
Years later, Upward Bound Program at the University of Miami began to give underprivileged students a second chance to succeed, and for some hard core students, their last chance in any school. Dave sailed through the interview with the outstanding director, Ana Price, and took on the job, aware that several other male teachers had not lasted. Dave worked there for nearly forty years, ending with director Ms. Grimes, until the program lost funding. He was given a Dean status at UM.
Experiences with Dave read like chapters in a non-fiction novel. Many might remember examples such as: The case of the missing Blair protein, Salt and Pepper are back to bust the club, You don’t know who I am either!, Leave the kid alone, Get off the phone, I’m waiting for my doctor to call.
A closing memory of the Miami Dade College political debates I moderated, with Dave Mandel, Bob Loughlin and Scott Loftman on the debating team, to the delight of the students who watched their winning team. We kept in touch and met occasionally for breakfast until Dave moved closer to his mother last year.
Dave was dependable, punctual, a no-nonsense person, my son, Ian’s godfather, a problem solver, generous, always ready to share a hamburger. We will miss him...

.



I attended Coral Gables high and he was my history teacher. What a great teacher and a fantastic human being. Everyone loved Mr. Mandel. He was always in great spirits and made time for everyone. I loved all his New York Stories. He talked about the movie Serpico lol. So kind and easy going. His passing brought memories and a tear to my eye! May he Rest In Peace!!!!!!!

I have so many memories of Dave.. he was the greatest substitute teacher I had.. he knew his history... I was on a plane to NY and Dave was also.. he sat next to an older gentleman who at the end of the flight accused Dave of stealing his ticket.. everyone got off but Dave... he remained calm and still a gentleman with patience of a saint... I have another priceless memory of Dave... he had some sort of an attack when the paramedics got there they tried to put a blood pressure cuff on his huge arms and it wouldn’t fit!  He was a kind sole and a great guy... Rest In Peace Dave... 

Great teacher, I still tell stories to my friends about him. One of a handful of teachers that made a positive impact on my life.  Great memories.

I worked for Dave at Coral Gables Health Spa in 1982-1983 and was very saddened to hear of his passing.   I will always remember Dave for his incredible sense of humor,  his friendship, and for the great gym memories.. thanks for everything Dave and you will never be forgotten..

Very sad to hear if Dave’s passing. I always enjoyed our stimulating conversations at Paradise Gym and his kind heart. 

I will miss him. 

Dave

You were one of a kind.  Nobody knew history or world events better than you,  Beneath that gruff exterior you had a great sense of humor and intellect. 

The debates at Miami-Dade  Community college, where you paired up with me and Scott Lofman, moderated by Bill Jackson,  were priceless.  Half the members of the Coral Gables Health Spa  showed up one time and you put on a classic and hilarious performance. 
 
I'm glad we kept in touch over the years; getting your take on the political scene was always funny and insightful.  

You will be remembered by many.








Very sorry to hear of Dave's passing.  Truly one of a kind.  Always enjoyed talking to him while working out at the Gables Health Spa, which was owned by Joe and Bill Hernandez.  Quite a unique group of people who worked out there.  Dave's general knowledge and his knowledge of history was extraordinary.  

I have fond memories of Dave and I hope and pray he did not suffer and is at peace.   

Sorry to hear about Dave’s passing. One of the true legends in the gym industry, first managing Coral Gables Health Spa and then Paradise Gym for many years.

Always a true one of a kind character that you looked forward to seeing when you checked in at the gym to get Dave’s funny comments of the day.

Very intelligent ( worked for years as a History teacher at Coral Gables HS , and blessed with a good heart he also was a fine high school fullback who played with one of my college teammates in high school.

RIP Dave , you will be missed and your memory will live on with all that you touched.

Jack Paget
4/16/20

OBITUARY

David Mandel

13 March, 1949 – 15 April, 2020

Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels at Mount Nebo/Kendall Memorial Gardens

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