Bruce W. Mendel, 85

ADAMS, Mass. —

Bruce W. Mendel, 85, of Adams, passed away at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 4 after suffering a heart attack on Friday. A life-long resident of Adams, Bruce was a fixture in town, saying hello, and telling a joke or two to the many people he knew on his daily drives through town.

Bruce leaves behind his beautiful wife of almost 58 years, Theresa (Wrenn), his daughter Lisa Mendel and her partner, Peter Wagner; his son Jeffrey Mendel, his daughter-in-law Lisa, and two grandchildren, Austin Mendel and his partner Ariana Faucher, and Alison Mendel, all of Adams, and many nephews, nieces and cousins. He was predeceased in 2009 by his beloved brother, F. Lee Mendel of Florida.

Born to Frederick and Evelyn (Dubois) Mendel of Adams on January 1, 1939, Bruce was a graduate of the Adams Memorial High School, Class of 1957. For many years, Bruce was a meat cutter at local supermarkets and retired from Price Chopper in North Adams. He was also in the Massachusetts National Guard for two decades, retiring as a staff sergeant.

In retirement, he was an active member of the Polish National Alliance, the South Deerfield Polish American Citizens' Club and Adams Post 160 American Legion. He had served as a member of the Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee and Adams Town Meeting for several years. He would successfully play pitch in many local leagues and tournaments.

A lover of people and animals, he seemed to know everyone in Adams and beyond, and when you saw him he always had a story ready about the people and locations that were connected to you. He was loved by every dog he ever met, and they each quickly learned to associate the sound of his truck with the arrival of dog cookies. He was a daily presence at land inherited from his grandparents on Airport Road, clearing brush and enjoying its beauty. Wanting other people to share the things he loved, he was always happy to allow other people and dogs to love that land with him. He’d often come back from his trips to the Polish Club in South Deerfield with his truck full of seasonal produce and flowers for family and friends. He loved trips to the slot machines at MGM and Saratoga with his wife or with friends from the Polish Club and Adams. More often than not, just when he was first getting ready to leave, he’d win or hit a bonus and would need to postpone returning home.

The funeral will be held on Friday, Aug. 9th at 11:00 AM in the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St. Adams. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Thursday from 5 to 7 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers and to recognize Bruce’s love of dogs, the family asks that contributions be made in his memory to the Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road Pittsfield, MA 01201.

To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com