Louis J. Mendoza

Obituary

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of Louis Mendoza on January 30, 2021.  Born in San Juan Capistrano on November 22, 1934, to Jesus and Carmen, Louis was the third of six children. It was during these formative years that Louis developed his love of people, sports and a work ethic that was second to none.

Louis attended Capistrano Union High School where he was an accomplished track athlete and graduated in 1951. After graduating he then entered the Navy, serving during the Korean War.  Upon returning from the Navy Louis joined RJ Noble in 1959, and that same year he met his bride to be, Mary.  Louis and Mary were married in 1960, and in 1961 they welcomed their first child Cindi.  Two years later Louis and Mary had a son Steven and two years after that their youngest child, Renee, was born.

As his children grew up, Louis was there every step of the way, coaching them on the baseball and softball fields, as well as helping them with their studies and life’s lessons.  At the same time, with the support of his loving wife, Louis’ efforts at work were recognized, as he worked his way into a senior management position.  Ultimately, after almost a 40-year career, Louis retired in 1998.

Even though being a father was a priority, Louis always made time for Mary.  As their children grew, Louis and Mary began to travel the world.  And when they weren’t traveling, Louis was working through a myriad of home projects.

In September of 1989 Louis was blessed with his first grandchild, Brittanee, and two years after that his second granddaughter Lauren was born.  Four years later Louis’ first grandson Cory was born, he was followed by Matthew, Reed, and Casey in 1998, with Griffin joining the group in 2001.  Louis loved being a grandfather, helping with homework, attending dance recitals, track meets as well as baseball and football games.  However, if you ask his grandchildren what they’ll miss about their Grandfather, they’ll all bring up Grandpa’s pancakes.

After Louis retired, he and Mary continued to travel, both here in the United States as well as the world, with his favorite destinations including: the beaches of Normandy, St. Peter’s Square in Russia, Australia, the Eifel Tower, the Great Wall of China, as well as Alaska.  When not traveling, or doing projects around the house, you could find Louis watching his beloved Dodgers, Bruins, Lakers or almost any other sporting event.

In his later years Louis didn’t slow down, rather he welcomed his first great grandchild, Brady, to the family.  Papa and Brady spent a little over two years together, but in that time, they formed a special bond.

Louis is survived by his wife Mary, his daughter Cindi and her husband Edward along with their three children, Brittanee and her husband David and their son Brady, Lauren and Matthew, his son Steven and his wife Patty and their sons Cory and Casey, and his daughter Renee and her husband Allen and their son’s Reed and Griffin as well as his sisters Dolores and Anita and his brothers Mike and Johnny.

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