Harold Bernard Mendes

A friend recently called Harold Mendes a “King among among Men.” He wouldn't see it that way. He’d sluff that off, but to me, the words seem fitting. Harold always said, “The purpose of life is to make an impact. To leave the world a bit better than you found it.” He fulfilled his mission in spades.

Harold passed away peacefully late Sunday night, July 26th in his home. He was 93 years old and living independently with his loving spouse Barbara and their dog Rouby. Harold, to the end, possessed a sharp mind, a quick wit and worked away at his potter’s wheel when he could. He never stopped trying to live a full life. He never lost his optimistic outlook despite his many nagging and difficult physical ailments; he never stopped giving wise counsel; he never stopped dreaming; and he never gave up hope about the future though he was keenly aware of and troubled by the current state of affairs within our country.

Several years back, Harold received the distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Award from Cleveland Heights High School. In his acceptance speech, he referred to himself as “just a regular guy”, the “bricks and mortar” of society. He said he simply tried to do the things to help build a better world. Anyone who knew Harold would say he was anything but regular. He was extraordinary. His legacy will surely live on in many of us.

Harold was born June 7, 1927 in Cleveland, Ohio. His parents, Mollie and Joe, raised him and his two older siblings, the twins Morty and Faye. They grew up in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland on Chesterfield Avenue. They moved up to the Heights during Harold’s middle school years. It was there Harold made many, many lifelong friends and forged a deep connection to Cleveland Heights, the community, and the schools. His children and grandchildren all attended Cleveland Heights Schools. Barbara, his wife, and Joe, his son, worked as educators in the system. Harold and Barbara donated many college scholarships to graduating Heights seniors for years. Harold began organizing and helping to host his High School class reunions in 1980. For the next 40 years, he continued that, making a mug-bowl-candle stick for every attendee.

Harold was constantly helping others (family, friends, students, immigrants, troubled souls.)

He did all this because it gave him satisfaction. He did all this because it brought people together. He did not seek or need credit or approval. Harold Mendes lived a full, meaningful and ethical life.

Harold enlisted in the Merchant Marine Academy after graduating High School. He transferred into the the 11th Airborne Division of the US Army as a paratrooper and was part of the US Occupation Forces stationed in Hokkaido, Japan. He explained that he became a paratrooper because they paid an extra $50 a month! After leaving the army, Harold attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. During his studies, he worked at the Pic-n-Pay Grocery store on Coventry Road.

Harold was an entrepreneur with a creative adventurous spirit. In 1954, he took off on a road trip with a friend, Marv Berg, and began driving all the way from Cleveland, Ohio to Panama. He packed a few catalogues and some blue tarps in his trunk. After many miles and experiences, including 18 flat tires, side-stepping a revolution in Guatemala, and swimming away from sharks Harold returned home to Ohio with almost no money in his pocket.

No worries, Harold had sold a few blue tarps during the trip and Mendes Incorporated was born. Thus began a long career as a small business owner. He co-founded a small adverting company, was a partner in Warren Optical selling sunglasses, and finally made his biggest mark when Mendes Inc. morphed into Salazar International in the late 60’s - Salazar was a company specializing in the export of truck parts for heavy equipment and tractor trailers.

As a businessman, Harold made relationships with people all around the world: Japan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Philippines, Venezuela, Chile and many many more. He trusted his customers and they trusted and respected him. Some even came to love him. Harold believed in doing the right thing and “not being a goniff.” The philosophy served him well. He retired in 2005 but had the pleasure of seeing the company continue to prosper under the guidance of Jerry Kagan, a beloved family member who Harold worked with and mentored for many years.

But Harold was much more than his profession - in fact he rarely spoke of his life as a businessman. He was a man of action and loved to work with his hands. He tiled bathrooms, grew veggies, planted trees, stained furniture and made retaining walls of stone. He loved driving his tractor, zipping about and cutting grass. He also spent ample time searching for his keys and recharging batteries that “somehow” had died. Paying attention to certain details was not his forte. However, he never missed an important detail.

He was a loving and supportive husband. He was actively involved in his kids lives. He visited them and shared in their accomplishments and setbacks. He was a loyal and lifelong friend to many. He had a close group for friends from Heights High called the Keystones. He helped organized monthly lunches where they would sit around and kibbutz.

Inspired by his eldest daughter Jenny, Harold took up pottery in the mid 1980’s. It became his passion. He made countless bowls, mugs, platters and loved to give them all away. In recent years, he made mugs for all the campers attending Camp Roosevelt Firebird, the camp owned and operated by his son Joe.

He loved to fish. Loved family fishing trips to Canada. Loved sitting on the dock alone at the cottage he built for his family. He’d celebrate after catching a 2 inch bluegill. He didn’t really care if he caught anything. He marveled at the simple things - like a giant zucchini. There’s more, much more, of course . . . but as he’d say to his wife or son — both known for their long speeches — “Wrap it up already. Enough. Too long.” This time, Herb gets the last word. We will love you forever.

Sodeska

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Harold is survived by his wife Barbara Mendes and his two siblings Morty Mendes and Faye Kaplan; also, he’s survived by his daughter Jenny Mendes (married to Mark Roegner) and daughter Rosie Ford (married to Michael Ford) and his son Joe Mendes (married to Cynthia Larsen). Harold’s grandchildren are Abe Mendes, Mariah Mendes, Caleb Ford and Nathan Ford.

The funeral was held at 2 PM on Wednesday July 29th.

To view this service please navigate to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81011778226?pwd=aXhLdDNNQ2J4ZTdTZGNUWkhVdjZKdz09

If anyone wishes to honor Harold’s memory, the family suggests donations to one of the following organizations:

The Camp Roosevelt Firebird Campership Fund

www.friendsofcamprooseveltfirebird.org

The Gathering Place

https://touchedbycancer.org/