Alan Mendillo

Alan A. Mendillo, age 93 of Wayne entered into eternal life on Friday, January 26. He was born in Paterson, NJ and served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Presidio in San Francisco, CA.

Al was a printer by trade and worked for Berles Carton Co. in Paterson for 35 years & worked 12 years for Accurate Box Co. He owned a Karate School in West Milford, N.J. since 1970 & was a seventh-degree black belt. Al touched many students lives while teaching karate and women’s self-defense courses. Al also taught Karate at the Adult Community School in West Milford from 1972 to 2007 & hosted many demonstrations in the West Milford & Wayne areas. He was the first Karate Instructor at the YM-YWHA in Wayne. In 2017, after 50 years of practicing and teaching karate, he retired. Al was also the Exalted Ruler of Wayne Elk’s Lodge # 2181 from 1992 to 1993 and was very active as a parishioner at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne.

Al’s greatest passion was ballroom dancing with his wife, Angel (nee Cannata) who passed away a few weeks shy of their 70th wedding anniversary.  Al and Angel won many jitterbug contests and made lifelong friends on the dance floor.  Al was quick to tell a joke, loved playing cards – especially Uno and enjoyed bowling in leagues during his younger years.  He was an amazing husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, Sensei, mentor, friend and much much more.  Al always had a smile on his face and was a great storyteller as well.

Al is survived by his six children: Mrs. Angel Cassera & Tony, Mr. Joseph Mendillo & Sandy, Mr. Alan J. Mendillo & Kim, Mr. James Mendillo & Toni, Mrs. Donna Fauerbach & Kurt, & Mrs. Michelle Catalioto & Tony, plus seventeen grandchildren & 8 great grandchildren and loving caregiver Pat Allen. He was predeceased by his wife Angel, in 2021.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105