Henry Mendoza

Services are scheduled for Henry Mendoza age 66 of Portland, Oregon and formerly of Roswell NM who died Sunday, August 22,2010 at his home in Portland after a courageous battle with heart disease. Services will start at 9:00 am at Saint Catherines Church in Hagerman NM Saturday September 4,2010 A Rosary will be recited at 9:30am. A Funeral Mass will follow at Saint Catherines in Hagerman NM with Father Brian Guerrini officiating. Graveside services will be at Hagerman Cemetery with a Military Honor Guard.

Henry was born in Dexter NM October 28,1943 to Panfilo and Felipa Mendoza.

He is survived by his daughter Leslie Mendoza of Oxnard CA, granddaughter, Luisa Mendoza, grandsons Jose Mendoza, Alex Rivera, great granddaughter Ariana Mendoza, great grandson Paul Mendoza all of Sioux City IA. Sisters Eloisa and husband Damasio Regalado of Hagerman NM, Rosita Sigala of Albuquerque NM, Lupe Sanchez of Roswell NM ,sister in law Mikki Mendoza of Albuquerque, brothers Eliseo and wife Prestina Mendoza of Tucson AZ and Robert and wife Gloria Mendoza of Roswell NM and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving him are his beloved cats.

He was preceded in death by parents, Panfilo and Felipa Mendoza, brothers Robert and Richard Mendoza, Maternal grand parents Enrique and Esiquia Mendoza and paternal grandparents Jose and Manuela Mendoza and niece Rita SigalaGomez.
Henrys life was forever changed on January 14,1969 when the he was a crewman aboard the USS Enterprise. He was severely injured surviving the blasts that threatened to bring down the Big E but the heroic efforts of his shipmates saved the ship that fateful day. The fire on The USS Enterprise resulted in a documentary on the History Channel and a book that Michael J. Carlin wrote, Trial: Ordeal of the USS Enterprise.
Henry went on to be a Social Worker for the VA hospital in Vancouver WA counseling many war veterans.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank his landlady Chris Dole and her husband Tim of Portland OR who provided many home cooked meals. We would especially like to thank his shipmates from the USS Enterprise Fire Reunion. Your friendship and support to Henry through the years gives great comfort to us all.
Per his wishes Cremation has taken place in Portland OR under the direction of the Omega Funeral Home. Care has been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home. Please post your thoughts and remembrances at www.ballardfuneralhome.com

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