Obituary: Carlos Mendoza, 91, Of Wilton

Information and Photo Courtesy Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home

WILTON, CT — Carlos Mendoza, 91, of Wilton, loving husband of the late Agustina Mendoza, passed away peacefully, Thursday, June 29, 2023.

Carlos was born in Oruro, Bolivia, March 24, 1932, son of the late Severino Mendoza and Antonia Villena de Mendoza. He grew up in Córdoba, Argentina the second eldest in a family of six children survived by youngest sibling, Maria Mendoza. Growing up, he assisted his father, a cabinetmaker, in his carpentry workshop. He received his Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Cordoba in Argentina. He was stationed in Patagonia, Argentina for his first position as a research scientist.

In 1960, he met his wife, Agustina (Tina) Mendoza, while on a plane ride to New York City. They were married in 1963, settling in the New York area. Carlos earned his master’s degree in Chemistry at NYU and worked for many years as a research and development chemist specializing in polymers and paints for both the Phillip Morris Co. in Stamford, and Raffi & Swanson Inc. in Wilmington, MA.

Carlos and Tina raised four children in Roselle Park, New Jersey and later in Darien. In 1980, wanting to live closer to relatives, the family moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, gifting their children with an appreciation of their heritage and culture, and giving them the opportunity to learn Spanish. They returned to the United States in 1983, spending their later years together in Reading, MA, Reston, VA and Littleton, MA.

Carlos and Tina both greatly enjoyed the arts and were avid travelers, having visited US National Parks and traveled abroad to South America, Europe, and Israel. Carlos was known for his great sense of humor and his passion for opera music and chess. He was an avid tennis player and spent much of his time with his family enjoying the great outdoors on walks, hiking, golf, and camping. Tina predeceased Carlos in April 2020, after which Carlos relocated to Wilton.

Carlos is survived by his four children, Alex Mendoza and his wife Marlena of Ridgefield, Clarice Shirvell and her husband, George of Ridgefield, Jane-Marie Norton and her husband Richard Vogel of Reston, VA, Mark Mendoza and his wife Nora of Littleton, MA and his grandchildren, Julia, Peter, Matthew, Ryan, John-Carlos, Johnny, Cece, Lily, Justin, and Daniel.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Church 520 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield. Internment will take place privately. Contributions in his memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association.