Juan M. Mendez Loved His Community
Juan M. Mendez, passed away peacefully from heart complications on Friday, May 15, 2020. He was surrounded by his loving wife of 50 years, Gladys, and his two daughters, Laura and Tanya. He was the proud grandfather of Jordan, Angelina, Ryan and Mila. He was a loving father-in-law to Kamran and Edgar.
Juan was a successful attorney and entrepreneur. Juan and Gladys began the family McDonald’s Franchise Business in February 1991. The family now owns and operates thirteen McDonald’s Restaurants on the Northwest Side of Chicago and Northwest suburbs. He was the Chair of the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance for over a decade, a former Chair of the National McDonald's Hispanic Owner-Operators Association (MHOA) and served on numerous other boards.
Juan was a generous, loving and caring man who cherished his family, friendships and culture. He was selfless, and a mentor and role model to many. Juan was a giving man, who never forgot those that helped him succeed. It gave him great joy to share and support the less fortunate. He lived by the motto that “it’s always better to give than to receive.” He believed in the value of an education and keeping his Puerto Rican culture alive.