The Rev. Dennis Mende

The Rev. Dennis Mende, beloved longtime pastor of Holy Apostles Parish, died Wednesday night.

Mende meant so much to so many, as community members and parishioners shared. He was fondly remembered for his kindness, compassion and upbeat positivity.

Donna Gatz, the organist for the parish and Jubilate Youth Choir director, said she worked with Mende for 22 years. She said his passing was a loss, not only for the church, but for the community at large.

“He put his heart and soul into his ministry,” Gatz said. “(I remember) his concern for people, his support for me with my kids’ choir and the adult choir, his determination to see projects through, and his people skills in general. He was just very committed. He was never one to step down or back off — he would see it through in a gentle, well-managed administrative way.”

What Gatz remembered most fondly about Mende was his positive manner.

“I don’t remember any time he had some discouraging word for me, or where he was upset — he was always highly supportive,” she said. “He was so upbeat, I often wondered what kept him going at times.”

Gatz said Mende was also very supportive of the youth music programming and was always encouraging their growth.

“He supported the kids leading parts of the mass,” she said. “Many people would never have kids step up and lead the Psalm, Alleluia and Kyrie.”

Gatz said with Mende’s passing there is a feeling of “Where do we go?”

“We couldn’t be doing what we’re doing today without his strong support,” she said. “In March of 1999, he came; this past March was 22 years. Even his involvement in community things was always so positive. He was a mountain of strength.”

Brian Bogey remembered Mende’s welcoming spirit as Bogey often would play the organ for certain events at the parish. Bogey is the organist and Minister of Music at First Lutheran Church in Jamestown, but often played when needed at the parish. Over the years, he said he developed camaraderie with Mende and admired him greatly.

“I always had close relationships with St. Peter’s and Paul’s Church because I helped organize the choir in the 1960s, so I’ve kept a close relationship with the choir and also with Father Mende,” Bogey said. “He was just a wonderful, wonderful pastor. A true man of God. I thought that he led that congregation, and now as well as St. John’s and St. James, as a blessing to so many. He will be deeply missed.”

He added, “I really admired him so much. Most recently, Bill Chandler, the choir director celebrated his 50th anniversary as choir director of the parish, and Father Mende was one of the ones that organized this whole thing. He loved the music program — the music program meant so much to him. Often times that doesn’t happen with the pastor and the music clergy — but they worked very close together. I just appreciated how he encouraged everyone at the music department there at the church. He loved the people deeply, and the people deeply loved him.”

Bogey said he was incredibly shocked that Mende had died. “Peace be to his memory,” he said.

Tony Dolce, president of the Jamestown City Council, said Mende’s death was a great loss for the church and the community. Dolce is also a Cantor for the parish.

“Our family and our children grew up with him; he baptized them,” he said. “He buried both of my parents, and I’ve worked with him as a music minister and Cantor there. We’ve been very close over the years, and it is very devastating. He hadn’t felt well for a few weeks, but we weren’t sure what was going on. He was put in the hospital the other day, and we just received word (Thursday) morning that he passed.”

Dolce said Mende was “very well-loved.”

“He took a lot of pride in Holy Apostles Parish, particularly St. Peter and Paul’s Church, and I believe he was the second longest-serving pastor in church history of over 150 years,” he said. “This is where he enjoyed being, and this was his ministry. He was loved by the parish, and it’s been a huge loss — not just for the church, but also for the community.”

He remembered laughing with Mende in the sacristy when Dolce had to go over certain practices before Mass. He said they used to joke at Christmas or Easter when there were different services to be held that, “You’d think by now I’d remember how to do all of this.”

“He used to go over it with me, and we’d joke and laugh about having it in order,” Dolce said. “He loved the music, he took pride in the choir, and he loved to hear the choir sing. There are a lot of different memories of holidays and special occasions (with him.)”

Mende, a native of New Jersey, graduated from Kenmore East High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the State University of New York at Albany and had been employed in the underwriting department of an insurance group before beginning studies for the priesthood.

Mende completed his master’s degree in theology at Christ the King Seminary and was ordained in 1983.

He was the longtime pastor of Holy Apostles Parish in Jamestown and had recently been given the additional responsibility of pastor of St. James Parish.