Manuel R. Mendes

Manuel R. Mendes, of Naugatuck, died peacefully on March 28 following a long illness. Manny was born July 16, 1937, in Lousa, Coimbra, Portugal, son of the late Jeronimo and Assuncao (Rodrigues) Mendes. He was a talented mason whose beautiful stonework graces many homes and buildings in the area, including the Naugatuck Portuguese Club, where he was a beloved regular. He could often be found enjoying an espresso at the club’s bar, especially if Sporting was playing.

Manny loved to hunt and was a crack shot. He was a founding member of the Naugatuck Valley Portuguese Fish and Game Association, where he won many trap shooting competitions over the years. He was also a prolific gardener. His fig trees and grapevines were a lush reminder of his home in Portugal, where he enjoyed spending time after he retired.

Manny was a soft touch for a good cause. He raised thousands of dollars to help purchase an ambulance for his native Lousa in the 1990s and gave generously but quietly to the neighborhood church. His kindheartedness and fun-loving spirit will be missed dearly by his family and many friends.

Manny is survived by his wife, Maria (Lourenco) Mendes; his son, Antonio Mendes (Andrea Sutton), of Prospect; his daughter, Marlene Mendes, of Naugatuck; his sister, Lourdes Mira(Antonio), of Coimbra, Portugal, and his grandchildren, Timothyand Margot Mendes.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, April 2, at 9:30 a.m. at Fitzgerald-Zembrusky Funeral Home, 240 N. Main St, Naugatuck, followed by burial in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to Clube Uniao Portuguesa, 110 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck, would be gratefully accepted.

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