Reynaldo Soto Mendoza

Reynaldo "Ray" Mendoza, age 87, of Santa Ana, California passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving wife, Toni, family and friends on Thursday, December 26, 2019. Ray was born February 20, 1932.

Ray Mendoza joined Laborer's Local #652 in Santa Ana, California in 1951. His commitment to the union was immediately recognized and he was hired as a Dispatcher in 1955. In 1957, Ray was appointed Business Manager of Local #652 and elected in 1958, and re-elected in 1960 and 1963.

Ray served as Trustee on Special Assignment for the Laborer's International Union from 1963 through 1965 at which time he was appointed as the first Latino International Representative. He was promoted to Assistant Regional Manager in 1968 with jurisdiction responsibility for California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii. During his tenure as Assistant Regional Manager, Ray served as Trustee for various locals from 1977 though 1985 and again in 2002. Ray proudly served the members of the Laborer's Union until his retirement in January of 1986.

In addition to his duties as a Laborer's Union representative, Ray has been bestowed the honor of being appointed and elected as Vice-President of the California Labor Federation, and Executive Board Member of the California Building Trades Council.

Ray Mendoza studied Labor Relations in the UCLA Extension Division and Harvard University Trade Union Program. He was appointed by the Laborer's International General President, Joseph Moreschi, to a five-man panel Education Committee upon the recommendation of the late Vice President, Lee Lalor. In 1974, Ray was honored as Orange County's Man of the Year and was the recipient of the Harold Chandler Scholarship Award. In addition, Ray was the founder of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and served as the Council's first President.

Ray's entire professional life has been dedicated to the hard working men and women of the Laborer's International Union of North America, who are deeply appreciative for all he has done for the members of the Union.

Ray Mendoza was inspired by the following quote that guided him throughout his life. The famous Jacobean poet, preacher, convert from Roman Catholicism, Anglican Priest, and sometime dean of St. Paul's Cathedral, London John Donne wrote the frequently quoted words:

"No man is an island, entire unto himself" and "Each man's death diminishes me, for I am involved with mankind. Therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."

Private interment