John “Jack” Joseph Mendillo, MD of Branford, passed peacefully in his bed on the morning of Palm Sunday, April 2. He was 103 years old. Jack was born on Putnam Avenue in Hamden on Sept. 25, 1919, the son of the late James Vincent Mendillo, DDS of New Haven, and the late Margaret Coxe Mendillo of Germantown, Pennsylvania. He was predeceased by his wife of 75 years, Georgine “Gigi” Anderson Hill Mendillo of Westbury, Long Island; his sister Margaret “Sis” Wells Mendillo Menzies; and his daughter Sandra. Jack is survived by his son James Hamilton Mendillo, DMD (Roberta), and his daughters, Pamela Anderson Mendillo Mathews (Ray), Nancy Hill Mendillo Dorsey (Peter), and Amy Coxe Mendillo Mastrangelo (Donal). He will be missed by his granddaughters: Courtney Calvert Mendillo Squire (Adam), Jaimee Thacher Mendillo, Hillary Anne Mendillo, DDS, Olivia Coxe Mastrangelo and Sophia Fox Mastrangelo; his grandson Anson John Dorsey (Katelyn); and his great-granddaughter Natalie Cornelia Dorsey; as well as his extended family.

Jack was a graduate of Hamden High School, Yale College, Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Graduate Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania. He completed residencies in internal medicine, pathology, and thoracic surgery. Dr. Mendillo served during World War II as a doctor in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Clark Field Hospital in Manila, Philippines. During the Korean Conflict, he was called back up to serve in the Public Health Service and United States Coast Guard. He served in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Merchant Marine Hospital and later at the Army Hospital at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Dr. Mendillo attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Upon discharge from the service, Jack returned to New Haven, with his growing family where he joined into surgical practice with his uncle A.J. “Tony” Mendillo, MD. Dr. Mendillo was active in the Connecticut State Medical Association, New Haven County Medical Society, the Amity Club, Day Spring Masonic Lodge, and the Union League.

After more than 30 years performing general and thoracic surgery, chiefly at the Hospital of St. Raphael, he and Gigi retired to Naples, Florida, where he enjoyed commercial and recreational fishing aboard his beloved Pescatore, a 31-foot Bertram Express Cruiser. After 27 years in Florida, Jack and Gigi returned to Branford, in their twilight years to be closer to family.