Frank Daniel Mendes was born on February 4, 1924, to Adeline (Adela) Rodrigues and Julio Mendes in Honoka'a, Hawai'i. Frank had two sisters, two brothers and several half-siblings. Frank's parents were both born in Puerto Rico; Julio was of Portuguese descent and Adela was of Portuguese and Spanish descent. There is also very likely some Puerto Rican blood in the family lines. (If anyone reading this has information on the family ancestry, Milt & Christine would love to hear from you!)

At that time the Hamakua coast of the Big Island was all about sugar cane, so young Frank undoubtedly found employment in and around the fields. He attended school only through the 4th grade. At some point in the late 30's, the family moved to the island of Oahu, where Frank found work as a pipe-fitter at Pearl Harbor and also joined the army. He was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Frank was busy working on the base throughout the war.

During this time he began keeping company with a beautiful girl whose family was also from Honoka'a. Frankie and Flora Rodrigues married in 1945, and Milton was born in October of that year. Pearl, Stanley, and Verna appeared after that at two-year intervals. The family eventually moved to the Waianae coast north of Honolulu where Frank was able to buy a little house with some land just across the road from the sea. Frank's children remember this as a happy time, even though they were squeezed together into one bedroom. They went to school across the street and to church every Saturday, and they never went hungry. They had ocean breezes, puppies, cats, and even two horses. Frank was a true Hawai'ian waterman and often took the kids to the ocean, where they learned to swim—whether they wanted to or not!

In 1959, Flora and the children moved to San Francisco. Frank followed, but shortly thereafter they decided to divorce. Frank continued to work at his trade at Bay area naval yards—Mare Island, Moffat Field, and Hunter's Point. He was fortunate enough to meet a lovely young nurse, Mildred Segura. Millie and Frank were married in San Francisco in 1965 and were blessed to be together until his death in October 2013.

Frank and Millie continued to work and save, and Dad could always be counted on to help out his children and the grandchildren that came along. He and Millie attended church regularly and made many dear friends. When Frank retired, they moved to Gilroy where they continued to be involved with church, family, and friends. And dogs. Frank loved his little pets and indulged them incessantly. Frank's other great love was fishing. He was never happier than when he had a line in the water. Fishing trips with his sons were highlights of his life.

Frank, Frankie, Dad, Grandpa Frank, Uncle Frank—however we knew him, it was as a friendly, funny guy who loved to talk story and loved a good joke, even if it was on himself. Several years ago Frank began to show symptoms of Alzheimer's, the cruel disease that eventually took him, and those who loved him began to grieve the loss of this wonderful man who blessed us with his happy heart and kindness for so many years.

Aloha, dear one. A hui ho (until we meet again).

From your family: Millie; Milt & Christine; Pearl; Stan & Holly; Verna & Danny; Flora; grandkids Jason, Dawn and Connor; and great-grandkids.

If you want to make a donation in Frank's honor, please consider the SPCA.

Funeral Friday, October 25, 10:00 a.m,. at Habing Family Funeral Home, 129 Fourth St., Gilroy, followed by burial at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park.