Brian Mendell, aged 67, passed away on October 6, 2023, after valiantly defying cancer for several years. Brian leaves behind his beloved wife Lisa Wright, sister Toni Powell, sister Stefanie Mendell, brother-in-law Richard Johnson, nephew Ronnie Johnson, and numerous other family members including Nevin Haggard, Ashley Haggard, granddaughter Ava Haggard, Joshua and Danijela Ladines, grandsons Nolan and Nicolas Ladines, Neilan and Christa Haggard and grandchildren Emily, Jeremiah, Katelyn and Zachary Haggard. Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Lois Mendell, an infant brother Robert Mendell, and his first wife, Barbara Haggard Mendell.
Brian was born in Plainfield, New Jersey and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, graduating from Needham Broughton High School in 1973 where he lettered in soccer. Brian earned a B.S in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Go Heels!). His career in production planning and inventory control took him from Rockingham, NC, to Orlando, Florida where he had resided since 1978. He retired from Coca-Cola/Minute Maid in 2013.
Brian’s passion was golf, which he played his entire life beginning around the age of eight. He maintained a low single digit handicap and had a brief stint as a professional golfer playing in mini-tour events. At 6’6” he was also a phenomenal basketball player, affectionately known to his TEP fraternity brothers as “Tree.” Brian also enjoyed reading and was a fierce competitor in everything from bowling, backgammon, and poker to crossword puzzles and the daily Jumble.
In retirement, Brian enjoyed playing golf at least five times a week. As season ticket holders, he and Lisa were avid supporters of the Orlando Magic. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and also loved to spend time with friends, family, and their blended family of dogs at their vacation home in the NC mountains.
Brian touched many lives and will be sorely missed. The family especially wishes to thank Brian’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim and Lynda Wright for their compassionate care during Brian’s illness.