It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I inform you, that Joe Mondello passed away early this morning after battling a recent illness. Joe Mondello was a long time engine builder and developer of horsepower and considered to be one of the most important contributors for most all aspects of high-performance engines especially cylinder heads.
Joe was my personal friend as well as business associate contributing his many ideas towards the many projects we worked on together. I think I was kind of a challenge to him as he was always trying to make me smarter on how and why engines do what they do. Joe took me under his wing and showed me that life was something to be enjoyed and cherished and that friends mean more than any amount of money. I am still surprised by how much time he would spend with me and I missing him a lot right now.
You are welcome to leave your comments about Joe and what his efforts provided to you.
Over the years I’ve read many articles that Joe has written on cyllander heads,Ive put his wisdom to good use in my own work and my hobby as an engine builder. I will miss Joes input into the high performance world.
Rest in peace good fellow,may the family be eased in the good that was brought into the world with his passion for perfection.
Joe will be greatly missed
My heart broke when the news came agross my desk. Joe taught me some very valuable lessons. Not all of them had to do with creating horsepower. He loved his friends with passion, and if you knew him, you know what I mean. I will miss him and that laugh when I’d say, “Can I ask you a question” Because he knew it was because I just blew something up, or was about to try something that had the possibility of blowing up. (his definition)
My heart goes out to the people that were closer to him than I. To his family, friends and his students of life, I grieve with you. Godspeed Joe. Give the Good Lord our love and thank him for giving us the time we had with you.
Like Lara said, My life is better because of him.
Alex
AGM Inc.
I love you Joe, The industry took a big hit on this one. One of the best I will ever know. For those who knew him well can confirm he was even a better cook. Some of the best food I ever ate was at Joe’s house. Good food, good drink, good times. Thank you Joe for the time you spent in my life. You will be missed dearly. I’ll see you in Cali…………XOXOXOXO
TEMperformance
I never knew the man personally, but if you listen to all of the echos of conversation in our unique community as I have, you would know that this man has left an incontrovertible impression on all of us. He is royalty and will dearly be missed.
Ryan N.
Joe, I didn’t know you when you were alive. But you left at a time you will be most needed!!!
Friends at Goodson, God will give you the fortitude to bear this great loss. Please, accept my sincere condolense!!!
My LOVE to the family.
I friend of mine died.
His name was Joe Mondello.
He was an old timer racing great.
He taught me how to port heads. He taught me how to machine a cylinder head. He taught me how to build a motor. He taught me how to earn a living.
He took me under his wing and showed a “girl” respect and admiration. He defended me when others said I was inferior.
When Dh and I were at a Racing Show (12 yrs ago), I briefly stopped at Joe’s booth and chatted. Later at the airport, he chased me down to encourage me to go to his school! He told me I could do this (engine stuff). Dh thought I couldn’t.
In my (porting) class, a guy (meathead) gave me soo much cr*p that I actually slugged him. Later he asked Joe for some help (on the stuff I was working on) and Joe told him to ask me.
He loved to eat out and we (Dh & I) have had several conversations over a bottle of wine with Joe. I was a guest in his home and he loved to cook for people.
He suffered through a 30 minute car ride with a screaming 2yo, to eat my own cooking at my house. I look at the chair where he laughingly told me my lemon ice cream was “a little bit puckery” (It was TERRIBLE!!!).
He always asked about the children when we spoke (even though I’ve been a SAHM for years and we only spoke once or so a year).
I miss the warm feeling that I could reach out and feel when I thought of him.
I respected him, I learned from him, I just didn’t know how much I would come to love him.
My life is better because of him.
Lara (Blue Oval Performance)
Dave, you my friend will not be alone in this sad news. Joe was a person who loved people and fun, and would give the shirt off his back and more…sharing his knowledge, contacts, or whatever it would take to get any of his numerous friends or acquaintances (I’m wary of that, we all wound up friends). He will be missed and Hopefully Mary and his kids will not have a leaden heart for too long….As Joe said “I’m not having a retirement party…that’ll be my wake”…Joe, I hoist this Seagrams Crown to you, and yours…YOU will be missed, and my Love to the family