In loving memory, and celebration of the life of Richard Albert Mende, who passed away quickly and peacefully, Thursday, April 16, 2026 with family by his side. We are grateful to celebrate and remember Richard as a true gentleman who loved his communities of Kitchener, Sudbury and Saskatchewan, all his family, friends, students, and colleagues. Richard was an amazingly avid and dedicated community and family man, regularly performing and taking in live music, supporting students throughout his life with their learning in a passionate way- first at Cambrian for 30 years and later at the Older Adult Centre at the Sudbury YMCA. He played music with many local performers at a high calibre for over 50 years winning a lifetime achievement award at the NLFB festival.
Richard is survived by his three sons: Barry (Melissa), David and Howie, 4 grandchildren Colton, McKenna, Madellin and Jonathan, a daughter Christine and his niece and nephew Mike and Jennifer and their families. Folks interested in leaving a donation are asked to direct funds to the local YMCA, or festivals like the Sudbury Jazz festival or NLFB directly- we know he would have smiled and wanted you to continue to enjoy the music. Any donation to the greater good in his honour would be kind- like he was. Keep an eye out for a final Celebration of Life this upcoming summer if it calls to you.