Obituary: Anthony Thomas Mendes, 45

Anthony Thomas Mendes, 45, of Branford, passed away peacefully into rest on Sunday, September 23, 2012 with his family by his side. He was born in New Haven on October, 21, 1966, son of the late Carol Thomas Moore.

Tony attended New Haven Public Schools before moving with his parents to California. He graduated from University High School in Los Angeles and worked at McDonald's and Petco. He returned to Connecticut and lived with his stepfather before moving to a group residence maintained by SARAH of Branford. He worked at several sites under the supervision of SARAH.

Tony's life was a gift to everyone who knew him. He loved his family and all of his friends. His love of Super Hero Comics was legendary. He enjoyed many hours reading his books. He also loved "oldies" music and could bring down the house lip-synching "New York, New York" to a Frank Sinatra recording. His greatest legacy is that he simply made everyone who he encountered a little better version of themselves.

He is survived by stepfather and stepmother, Michael and Susan Moore of Orange; his uncles Robert Thomas (Sabra) of Orange, Gordon Hearne (Gini) of Los Angeles, CA and Richard Moore (Rosemary) of Cheshire; stepbrothers Michael Spence (Miriah) and Geoffrey Spence; stepsister, Libby Bucholtz (Kurt); cousins, Roberta Mancuso (Greg), Randy Thomas (Kim), Jodi Thomas (Brian Golembowski), Cliff Brendenberg, Kurt Brendenberg and Kim Wynne. He was predeceased by his mother, Carol Thomas Moore; and his grandparents, Adolf and Florence Thomas; and his aunts, Mary-Jane Hearne and Anne Brendenberg A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Saturday at Church of the Holy Infant, 450 Racebrook Road, Orange. Burial will be private. Friends are invited to Join Tony's family for a reception following the Mass in the Guild Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family would invite contributions to SARAH Seneca Residential Services, c/o SARAH Foundation, 246 Goose Lane, Suite 104, Guilford, CT 06437. Arrangements are under the care of Keenan Funeral Home, 238 Elm Street, West Haven. Those wishing to send condolences online may do so at www.keenanfuneralhome.com.