Joe Mendoza's Memorial Fund
in loving memory
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever.”
~ Gandhi
Joe was a proud husband, father, son, and friend to many. He lived an amazing life that was driven by a passion for helping others and elevating those around him. Joe’s selflessness, kind heart, and optimism will forever be remembered by those who knew him. Upon his cancer diagnosis, Joe approached his fight with great courage, hope, and tenacity.
Regardless of the outcome, Joe wanted to be remembered as a fighter and to live on not only through body but through spirit. It is through this spirit that we honor Joe’s grand legacy and advance the fight against cancer for those who need it most.
Father God, I know that you don’t always use the most qualified person to do your work. Sometimes you use ordinary people like me, and equip them to work in your harvest. Amen.
The Mendoza family asks that you continue Joe's Legacy, with a gift in his name to the Osborne Head & Neck Foundation
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26
Remembering Joe
Joe's life serves as an inspiration to me, and I will miss him, but I will not forget my friend. I will continue to keep him alive, through my work, and my deepest hope is that others will join me to continue his legacy.
-Dr. Ryan Osborne
Please share a memory or message to the Mendoza family in honor of Joe by clicking the button below.
6 entries.
My dearest friend and spiritual brother from Chipsa, Joe Mendoza, who passed recently. From the moment we met eyes in San Diego, in a hotel lobby, headed for end stage cancer treatment in Mexico, I knew he was my spiritual brother, he was a force, a worker of love and light in this world. A man with a purpose and a mission. Over the weeks we spent together at Chipsa, we became forever family. Kindred souls on similar missions, to comfort, encourage, listen, and bless others who needed that push to fight this beast living in us. I will write more about my amazing brother when I get my emotions together. In this moment, know he was an angel on this earth, who fought until God suddenly, without warning, called him home. I had just spoke with him and he said he was fine, and in 2 days, he was gone. I miss you my brother, more than I could ever put in words, and I am keeping our bonded promise, to help as many as I can in your honor. I will fight this beast until my last breath on this earth, and do all I can for others, as we discussed so often. See you on the other side in glory ♡ #frackcancer #soothersmaylive
Joe , Angel was everything I could ever want in a brother. My awesome brother in law, I will miss him oh so dearly and deeply as I already do. I still really needed him but I know god needed him more. As I sit here with my eternal sadness I will reflect on each passing moment we spent as family, laughing, eating and growing our children together celebrating all our wonderful times, holidays, parties and deep conversations. Cindy is my only sister who means everything to me and Angel always made sure my sister was loved and treated like a Reina. He was a Rock, he was The Godfather to my child as We are the godparents of his child. I dreamed of the days we would grow old together my sister and I with our loving husbands. But for now I will feel complete with the moments we did make in the 23 years we spent together. I got to watch him truly evolve and blossom into the wonderful person, man & father he became. He reached his dreams and lived a life full of, music, family, moments and independent freedom, traveling and building his brand, & his company. I was in awe of all he created for his family, for him family was 1st. And he gave them his all. Angel I’ve never met anyone quite like you and I doubt I ever will. Your one of a kind. I remember your words and laughter I’m glad we got to say good-bye. Mom said you are now a great protector in heaven looking after us. You will be someone who I will cry endlessly for Peter and I will be here to help your boys anyway we can. Our hearts go out to Cindy, Angel jr, Andrew, Aiden & Zara we know that god will ease their pain and get them through. To live is to love and serve. I’m so grateful god brought you to us. Amen
Angel was one of a kind. He was the kind of man that made you feel so special and loved. I will miss his big bear hugs and his words of encouragement. Like Dr. Osborne said...”you know you were blessed if you were able to call yourself a friend of his”, I was lucky enough to call him family. God Bless!
What more can I say that hasn't already been said. Angel and I treated, respected and loved each other like family from the beginning even though we were friends. It was an honor and pleasure to have him in my life. I hope I too will be blessed to enter heaven to see my brother Angel again. To his Beautiful wife Cindy and the boys your husband and father was truly an ANGEL ! GOD BLESS YOU ALL !!!
Joe (as we know as Angel) was the most kind hearted and humble man that I ever knew. Ever since I was a baby he would always take care of my like his own. Always showed me an enormous amount of love. I will never forget the parties, concerts and cabo trips we took with our family’s. Those are memories I will cherish forever. I miss him and love him so much...
Cindy, Angel, Andrew Aiden, and all of those who loved Joe, my deepest condolences. My prayers are with you.
When I first met Joe we had an immediate connection. It was unlike the traditional physician-patient relationship. He told me his prayers for guidance brought us together, and I never doubted that. He seemed as though he were a part of my family - a brother in arms. His kindness and compassion for others was a quality I deeply respected, and his tenacity was undeniable.
Even though Joe and his wife Cindy came to my office to discuss an advanced cancer, Joe brought a sense of brevity. I was direct with them about his chances of surviving a surgery, and he simply said "before God, and before my wife let me say if it's my time.... its my time. But I am not going to just sit in a corner and quietly die. I'm going to fight to the very end, and I prayed to God to help me find someone who will help me fight."
His words are the reason I practice medicine - to give people a chance to fight, when others won't. I knew then, Joe was more than a patient in my care, he was someone of the same creed. Family.
Joe not only survived the surgery but became an inspiration to others during his recovery. I went to see him at the hospital to give him words of encouragement, but he wasn't in his room. I found out he was visiting patients who were having a rough time, and giving them the emotional and spiritual support they needed. He would find some way to connect with them, often through his love for good food and passion for sports.
In a time when many people become naturally more focused on themselves, Joe was a beacon of light illuminating the darkness for those around him. Everyone knew Joe would not allow the focus of the conversation to remain on him. He would inevitably start talking about making a difference. He insisted on generously giving to those who faced circumstances like his own, with money and deeds.
I admire and respect him greatly. He was strong, and showed constant compassion. He was a man of integrity whose love for his family and friends was palpable. You know you were blessed if you were able to call yourself a friend of his. He loved God, and he loved being an agent of God.
Joe's life serves as an inspiration to me, and I will miss him, but I will not forget my friend. I will continue to keep him alive, through my work, and my deepest hope is that others will join me to continue his legacy.
Dr. Ryan Osborne
When I first met Joe we had an immediate connection. It was unlike the traditional physician-patient relationship. He told me his prayers for guidance brought us together, and I never doubted that. He seemed as though he were a part of my family - a brother in arms. His kindness and compassion for others was a quality I deeply respected, and his tenacity was undeniable.
Even though Joe and his wife Cindy came to my office to discuss an advanced cancer, Joe brought a sense of brevity. I was direct with them about his chances of surviving a surgery, and he simply said "before God, and before my wife let me say if it's my time.... its my time. But I am not going to just sit in a corner and quietly die. I'm going to fight to the very end, and I prayed to God to help me find someone who will help me fight."
His words are the reason I practice medicine - to give people a chance to fight, when others won't. I knew then, Joe was more than a patient in my care, he was someone of the same creed. Family.
Joe not only survived the surgery but became an inspiration to others during his recovery. I went to see him at the hospital to give him words of encouragement, but he wasn't in his room. I found out he was visiting patients who were having a rough time, and giving them the emotional and spiritual support they needed. He would find some way to connect with them, often through his love for good food and passion for sports.
In a time when many people become naturally more focused on themselves, Joe was a beacon of light illuminating the darkness for those around him. Everyone knew Joe would not allow the focus of the conversation to remain on him. He would inevitably start talking about making a difference. He insisted on generously giving to those who faced circumstances like his own, with money and deeds.
I admire and respect him greatly. He was strong, and showed constant compassion. He was a man of integrity whose love for his family and friends was palpable. You know you were blessed if you were able to call yourself a friend of his. He loved God, and he loved being an agent of God.
Joe's life serves as an inspiration to me, and I will miss him, but I will not forget my friend. I will continue to keep him alive, through my work, and my deepest hope is that others will join me to continue his legacy.
Dr. Ryan Osborne