JOSEPH MANDELNovember 30, 1936 - January 5, 2023 The family is saddened to announce the death of Joe Mandel who died unexpectedly from a stroke, in Stratford, Ontario. Joe was a proud native of Wellington, New Zealand. His parents were the late Edward and Rua Mandel. He was predeceased by his brother, Paul. Joe is survived by his sister-in-law, Adrienne; nephews Brent, Nathan, and Mel; his niece Tracey (Dan); his four great nieces and nephews Lucy, Tim, Jonty, and Margot; and much-loved cousins. Joe's partner of 46 years was the late theatre director, Robin Phillips; he leaves behind, Robin's sister, Hillary Weatherburn, niece, Sarah, and nephew, Simon. Joe had a remarkable career as a hotelier, initially in New Zealand and then for many years in London, UK where he was General Manager of the flagship Rank Hotel. He immigrated to Canada with Robin in 1973, and was one of the originators of Stratford's culinary scene. He established and was the sole proprietor of the widely renowned Church Restaurant in Stratford, later opening its upstairs companion, The Belfry Bar. "The Church" and the "The Belfry" were frequented by high-profile visitors, theatregoers, the arts community and Stratford residents. Joe will be remembered as a warm, welcoming, and gracious host to all. Ten years after he opened The Church, Joe became one of the co-founders of the influential Stratford Chefs School. A bon-vivant with a wicked sense of humour, an intellect, a theatre aficionado, a community-builder, an explorer, a fabulous conversationalist, and a wonderful companion, Joe will be dearly missed by his surviving family and his deep and wide circle of friends-old and new. Memorial donations may be made directly by credit card to The AFC (Actors' Fund of Canada) which provides emergency financial aid as well as support programs and services to Canadian entertainment professionals www.afchelps.ca or to PAL (Performing Arts Lodge) Stratford which provides affordable housing in Stratford, Ontario to seniors who are/were associated with Canada's professional and performing arts communities www.palstratford.org Cremation has taken place, and a memorial will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the W. G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron St., Stratford, ON. 519.271.7411. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com

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Published by The Globe and Mail from Jan. 13 to Jan. 17, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph MANDEL

2 Entries

Joan & Dave Parson

January 31, 2023

My husband David was the graphic designer for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival when Robin Philips was the Artistic Director in the 1970´s. He also worked with Joe to create the logo and graphic material for the Church Restaurant. I still recall the first lunch we had there after it opened. As time went by, we had an annual pre Christmas dinner at our home on Water Street, which included Robin, Joe, Ann Selby and Daphne Dare. First dinner was a roast of beef, with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings. OMG. What was I thinking! Joe was impressed that I had cut the brussel sprout stems with an "X" ( first time ever) As the years went by, they always shared time with our three children before they went off to bed. Our son Chris later worked at the Church restaurant as bus boy then server and has been involved with hospitality since that significant experience. Four years ago, we were in touch with Joe and became reconnected once again. Such lovely and memorable times for our memory bank! Rest in peace, dear friend! Joan & Dave

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Irene Pauzer

January 18, 2023

Dear Family of Joseph Mandel,

My deepest condolences to you with the loss of your dear Joseph, a man of many parts, an original with a clear view of life and people mixed with his wicked wit. I do hope the good memories of Joe with time will ease your grief

Joe had a wide field of friends and acquittances. My late husband Andrei and I knew him as a dear friend spending many wonderful times in his company and with he and Robin.

The story of Joe and Andrei covered several places, chance meetings and times in their lives. They had met working in Australia in the early 1960´s, then again finding themselves working together for the opening at the London Hilton in the mid 1960´s.

By the late 70´s there was major excitement and positive critical noise at the opening of `The Church´. and Robin´s first season at the Festival Theatre. Andrei and I were married and living in Toronto and and went down to see this new restaurant and a show at the Festival. We walked in and Joe was at the door greeting guests. When Joe and Andrei looked at each other to shake hands, Joe said,"I know you". In Joe´s version of this tale, I then turned to Andrei with an expression on my face of `what have you been up to?´. Later as we eating dinner, Joe came to our table and said, `I know who you are´ and so out rolled many stories from the past between them and the the beginning of a wonderful friendship for us knowing Joe.

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