Powhatan, VA - Joseph "Joe" Mendez, formerly of Saratoga Springs, NY, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. He was 91.

Born on May 17, 1926 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Herman and Filomena (Pissanello) Mendez and resided in the Saratoga Springs area for over 45 years. A proud US Army veteran of World War Two, he served with the 137th Infantry and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He was employed as a planner and machinery analyst for 26 years by General Electric and at the Knolls Atomic Power Lab in West Milton, prior to his retirement in the 1970s.

A longtime devoted parishioner of the historic Church of St. Peter, he faithfully served as an usher during weekend liturgies. Along with his late wife Dorothy, Joe delivering the parish's food pantry items to the homeless veterans shelters in Saratoga County on a weekly basis. A member and past Commander of Dominick Smaldone ITAM Post 35, he was a staunch supporter of veteran services and remained an advocate for their benefit. A Third degree member of Saratoga Council 246 Knights of Columbus, he was also a Fourth degree member of Saratoga Assembly 745 K of C. His many hobbies included painting, working with and repairing stained glass, and golfing.

Married on March 15, 1948 to the former Dorothy "Dottie" A. Mendez, she passed away July 12, 2015.

He is survived by his daughter, Dody (John) Green of Powhatan, VA; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 11:30am to 12:30pm Friday (Oct. 13, 2017) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373).

The Fourth Degree Color Corps will serve as an Honor Guard during the wake and members of the K of C will hold their service at 12:15pm.

Services will be conducted at 12:30pm Friday at the Burke Funeral Home by the Rev. Thomas H. Chevalier, pastor of the Church of St. Peter. Burial with military honors will follow at 1:30pm at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.