Wilfred Mendez

Will was born on January 11, 1945, in Puerto Rico to Antonio and Josefina Mendez. They had 2 children, Nelson and Wilfred. They moved to Brooklyn, NY where Will attended and finished High School.

At the age of 19, he joined the Air Force. He served in Germany during the Vietnam War as a fighter-jet mechanic. His service to our country would come to an end after 6 years and having achieved the rank of Sergeant. Being in the Air Force sparked Will's love for mechanics and airplanes.

In 1970 he married Ruth Egidi and they had 2 daughters, Erica and Michele. After their divorce, he married Ann-Marie Cederle and they had a daughter Jessica.

His love for all things mechanical would lead Will to a career at Grumman Aircraft Engineering, Fairchild-Republic, and the Long Island Railroad. He would even go on to own his own family deli in Florida. He ended his mechanical career and retired from Allied Services in Scranton, PA as a Maintenance Engineer. Throughout his life, he could be found tinkering on a car, fixing a friend's sink or working on a house project.

To truly know Will was to know his love of music and singing. He had a strong passion for Doo-Wop and Acapella. Music ran through his veins starting as a young man singing on street corners in Brooklyn and as a singer in groups like The Decades, The Long Island Paramount’s, and The New Paramount’s. You would often hear Will singing everywhere he went. His voice was infectious, and you would find yourself singing along with him to “Rockin Robin….. tweet, tweet”.

Will enjoyed watching westerns, UFC, and movies. He could be found at the end of the day, sitting in his recliner nibbling on cashews, pistachios, and chocolate.

Will was predeceased by his wife Ann-Marie Mendez (2010) and grandson Michael De Luca (2008).

He is survived by his loving family including Fiancé Mary Pinto, whose love and dedication have been unprecedented throughout. His daughter Erica De Luca & Son-In-Law Michael De Luca, daughter Michele Fagan and daughter Jessica Mendez. Beloved grandchildren; Joseph De Luca, Marisa and Samantha Fagan, and Lilly Canaday. He also leaves behind countless lifelong friends.

We will miss him dearly but are thankful for our time with him. He will forever be singing in our hearts.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, August 20th, 2022, from 1-4pm at: Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North Street, Washingtonville, NY 10992.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to Will's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Hospital.