Anthony “Tony” Aguiar Mendes passed on October 22, 2020 at the young age of 76 to be with his beautiful wife Nancy Mendes who was waiting for him at the pearly gates. Tony was born November 29, 1943 at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Hanford, CA. In the years to follow Tony attended Stratford Union Elementary School, Armona Elementary and later went on to graduate high school from Hanford high in 1961. While in high school Tony was actively involved with FFA, and could always be found around the valley with his sisters at the Portuguese dances. From early on Tony farmed and milked cows at his mother’s dairy ranch near Armona. Tony spent the majority of his life driving truck for many various companies and providing for his family.
In 1978 Tony married the love of his life Nancy Rhoades and welcomed his new daughter Patty Lynn Brown to the family. In 1986 the family grew from three to four welcoming a new beautiful baby girl Sabrina Caroline Mendes. Tony was a hard worker and was always willing to lend a hand or the boots off his feet. From metal fabrication, tending the land and riding on a tractor, Tony did it all. Some of his tinkering consisted of tractor and train mailboxes out of old springs and horse shoes. Along with piecing things together to make a brand new something or just playing with the well that was a continuous on-going project. Tony firmly believed that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and with that motto he was able to see the beauty or practicality of any object around him.
If you knew Tony you know that he was quite a character. He loved to poke fun and kid around. He was a gentle giant with a caring giving spirit. He always liked a pretty face and was a bit of a flirt but it was all in fun because his heart was in the right place. Tony touched more lives than anyone can count and he loved his family and friends with his whole heart.
Tony is survived by his daughters, Patty & Clay Washburn & Sabrina Mendes & Chris Weiss. He is also survived by his sister Theresa Sessoyeff (Peter), brother John A. Mendes (Cheryl) and former brother in-law Steve Leonardo. He is also survived by several cousins, nieces, nephews and grandchildren: Raymond (Angel) Garcia, Christina (Darrell) Jeff, Cohen Qualls & Paisley Qualls. Along with his many, many great grandchildren: Poala, Jelissa, Anthony, Nathan, Samantha, Emma, Jenna, Natalie, Jacob, Victor, Joseph, Carissa, Georgie, Amanda, Savanna, Alijah, & Korry. He is also survived by his great-great granddaughter Evelyn.
He is proceeded in death by his wife Nancy Mendes, his father Jose Aguiar Mendes and his mother Mary Elizabeth Vieira. His brother Joseph A. Mendes and sisters Roselyn Mason (Charles) and Wilhelmina Camara (Manuel).