Obituaries

Edward Bosworth Mendel

Photo of Edward Bosworth Mendel
Edward Bosworth Mendel passed away on Dec. 6, 2011, as a result of an automobile accident in Breckenridge, Colo. Ed Mendel was born on Oct. 6, 1965, to Nancy Wilson Mendel and the late Edward Claire Joy Mendel. He was raised in Palm Beach and attended college at the University of Miami and College of the Ozarks. As owner of Imports International, Inc., Ed traveled extensively, enriching people's lives in many countries and leaving goodwill. His passion for helping others lead him to become both a fireman and an emergency medical technician in Little Rock, Ark. In 1999, Ed and his family moved to Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Fla., where he founded the charter service Backdraft International, Inc. Again, using his passion for helping people, Ed was a first responder in the wake of hurricane Katrina, rescuing survivors and working with the Army Corp of Engineers using a swamp buggy. In Jaco, Costa Rica, Ed started a volunteer fire station by donating a fire engine to the town. Since the start of the station, it has grown into an indispensable municipal fire station. For all of Ed's accomplishments, he was the most proud of his two children, Avery Garner Mendel and James Bosworth "Bo" Mendel. In addition to his children, Ed is survived by his mother, Nancy Wilson Mendel of Palm Beach, Fla. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-By-The-Sea, Palm Beach, Fla. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Edward Bosworth Mendel to "Reflections of Ed Mendel," c/o Wells Fargo Bank, 255 South County Road, Palm Beach, Fla., 33480. "Reflections of Ed Mendel" will fulfill his dream to give reflectors to cyclists in Costa Rica so they safely navigate the dark and narrow streets.

Published December 11, 2011

Upcoming Events