Rafael Mendez-Rivera, age 78, passed away Thursday, at 3:12 pm September 20, 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida. Rafael was born May 4, 1934 in Santurce, Puerto Rico to Rafael Mendez- Quiles and Ruperta Rivera- Mendez. He was of the catholic faith and attended Mass at St Paul’s Catholic Church. He is preceded in death March 4, 2011 by his loving wife Carmen Maria Ramos de Mendez of 59 years, his parents, and two brothers. Rafael was a long time avid baseball fan of the New York Yankees. Survivors include two sons Nelson R Mendez and Ruben Mendez and wife; two daughters Maria L Mendez and Carmen H Mendez-Ware; one brother Ismael Gonzalez; one sister Haydee Mendez-Berrios; eleven grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held 1:00- 4:00 pm Saturday October 20, 2012 at University of Puerto Rico Catholic Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Burial at Sea will be conducted, 9:00 am October 21, 2012 at Palomino Island. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Town & Country Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205.
