“I can truly say that dad set the standard, and his early passing left mom to carry out the dream. Our Mom passed away the day after Bob did in November 2014. Each and everyone of us remembers our Dad dearly. – Lalo Mendoza, Educator and Life Coach
In Memoriam ~ Henry Villasenor Mendoza June 6, 1920 – April 23, 1974
My Dad’s name is Henry V. Mendoza. He was born on June 06, 1920 and passed away in April 1974. He was the son of Mexican-American immigrants who earned their way to citizenship and lived in the Watts Community of Los Angeles. He attended David Starr Jordan High School in Los Angeles where he was a standout football player making All-Eastern each of his three varsity seasons and was an avid U.S.C. fan.
He joined the Army-Air Corps during World War II and was assigned to provide field communications to the British 8th. Army under General Montgomery in North Africa. Later he was stationed in Italy where he met the love of his life, Gusippina (Pina) Roghi. I was the only one of seven sons and daughters born in Italy. Six months after he came stateside, he sent for my Mother and I. We crossed the Atlantic Ocean by boat, the Continental United States by train, and arrived in Los Angeles’ Union Station where dad met us and drove us to our new home in Watts.
He and mom raised seven children who all went to Catholic elementary and high schools. They operated a small grocery store in Willowbrook on Willowbrook and 122 nd. St. Later, Dad worked as a teamster delivering beer for various companies. It was on his last delivery that he was assaulted by several juveniles near Manchester and Broadway which caused him to go into cardiac arrest. The coroner listed his death as a homicide.
I went to St. Anthony in Long Beach, my brother Bob went to Fermin Lasuen in San Pedro, Elio went to Verbum Dei in Watts, Terri, Dee-Dee, and Cha-Cha went to St. Joseph in Lakewood, and Kiki went to St. John Bosco in Bellflower.
Our dad stressed the importance of an education and a college degree. There was no substitute. He and mom proved that by making the extreme sacrifice of paying tuition for all of us to get to where we are today. Each of us is a teacher. I, Lalo, am a professor at Compton Community College and formerly worked at Verbum Dei and Salesian High Schools. Bob was a former Principal at Verbum Dei, Vice-Principal at Salesian, and passed away of diabetes complications in November 2014. Bob had four sons (Robert who is headmaster at Fairmont Prep, Richard who is a Los Angeles Police Officer, Michael who is in college and one son who was deceased at birth), three daughters (Dolores, Andre and Veronica). Elio graduated from U.S.C. with his Doctorate and is a Principal at Cabrillo H.S. in Long Beach. Elio has one son, Roth-Roghi, and two daughters (Mia Gussipina and Mia Roma, both in college). Terri graduated from U.S.C. with her Doctorate and is the Principal of St. Joseph High School in Lakewood. Dee-Dee Dolores Bean) has her M.Ed. and worked in the development office at St. Joseph until she became disabled due to diabetes. Dee Dee has one daughter, Sofia who is in college. Cha-Cha (Angela Parkin) has her M.Ed and teaches second graders at Jefferson elementary school in Paramount. She has a daughter, Catarina and a son, John who both are in college. Kiki (Henry) has his M.Ed. and taught and served as Head Football Coach at St. John Bosco in Bellflower, Fairmont Prep in Anaheim, and now is a VP at Roosevelt H S in Norco. He has two daughters (Gabriella and Gisela, both in college, and one son, Henry who recently graduated from Fairmont Prep.
I can truly say that dad set the standard, and his early passing left mom to carry out the dream. Our Mom passed away the day after Bob did in November 2014. Each and everyone of us remember’s our Dad dearly. And now our Mom and Bob are a part of that remembrance.
He was a hard working, loving, caring and dedicated father who loved his family more than life itself. This Father’s day is the day all of us remember our beloved Dad’s and give thanks for having them as Dad’s. For those fortunate to still have their Dad’s with them, thank God for them each and every day! The strong love that our Dad had for us eventually led to his passing as he was trying to provide a little bit more for all of us. Pop, rest in peace and in God’s good grace.
Your loving family.
