Mahendra J Patel

Mahendrabhai Jethabhai Patel passed away peacefully on May 10, 2023, at the age of 85.  He was surrounded with love in his last few days by close family and friends.

Born in Mbarara Uganda on October 28, 1937, to Jethabhai Bavaji Patel and Kamalaben Jethabhai Patel.  He was the second youngest of 5 children, 4 brothers and 1 sister and the last one alive for many years. He came from a modest family and spent a lot of his young life in Kenya working at a bank.  

In 1965 he returned to India to marry his beautiful young bride Nirumati Patel. He was always witty and lied to her about his age since he was 28 and she was only 19 when they married.  In 1966 they were blessed with their eldest daughter, Priti.  They moved to England in 1970 and were again blessed with another daughter in 1972, Alpa.  Mahendrabhai loved his family and worked hard to provide the best for them.  He worked in England for the Royal mail sorting and delivering mail.  In 1983 he immigrated to the USA thanks to the support of family. Here he initially established himself in South Carolina and owned a small hotel.  In 1986 he moved to Titusville, Florida and had his own businesses until moving to Jacksonville in 1998.  He worked at Walmart as a cashier and later a door greeter until 2009. To this day when we walk into the Walmart, they ask about him.

He was selfless and very giving, caring and kind.  He raised his daughters to have strength, dedication, and purpose.  His favorite hobbies were watching soccer, cooking, and reading.  He loved history and animal shows and he loved to give to those in need.  Through his years he donated to many children’s societies and through his love of cooking he never let anyone leave his home without being fed.

He will be missed dearly and is survived by wife, Nirumati Patel, daughters Priti and Alpa Patel, son in law Dharmesh Patel, grandson Ankit Patel and granddaughter Anjali Patel.

May he rest in eternal peace, but his memory will be cherished forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made, in his name, to Community Hospice and Palliative Care at www.communityhospice.com or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.