The Honorable Judge Joseph David MINTZ

1933 - 2022

MINTZ - The Honorable Judge Joseph David
The Honorable Judge Joseph ("Joey") David Mintz passed away on Saturday July 30, surrounded by family at his eldest daughter's home in Cherry Hill, NJ. Judge Mintz was born in 1933 in Buffalo, New York to Isadore and Fanny Mintz and resided in Buffalo his entire life. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Renee C. Mintz; as well as his younger brother, Murray Mintz. Surviving family members include his two daughters and their spouses, Sari Mintz and Thomas Mirsen and Laurie Mintz and Glenn Good; his four adoring grandchildren, Jennifer and Allison Good and Steve and Rachel Mirsen; and his younger sister, Esther Perry. Mintz attended Bennett High School, and then went on to the University of Buffalo where he earned his undergraduate degree and JD in five years from the University of Buffalo, where he was on law review. He then began working in the local public defender's office before starting his own private practice, concentrating in criminal defense. An early advocate for social justice and fair representation for all under the law, Judge Mintz founded and became the first director of the Aid to Indigent Prisoner program in Erie County, which is still running today and served as a model for programs throughout New York State, and in fact, other areas of the country as well. In 1978, Judge Mintz was elected to the Supreme Court where he served from 1979 through 2009, when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 76. Judge Mintz loved his work and the law and indeed, continued to be involved in guardian work until just a few months before his death. Mintz also had an affinity for playing poker and later gin-rummy with his many friends. In fact, in his retirement years, Mintz coordinated a card club of 18 men who rented office space so they would have a place to gather and play gin-rummy on a sometimes-daily basis. In his younger years, he and his beloved wife, Renee, also enjoyed traveling with friends, going on fishing trips to Canada and to casinos all over the Caribbean Islands. He also loved going out to dinner, his 5 pm vodka, and until his wife made him quit, his daily cigar. Mintz was a true family man, unwaveringly there for his family, simultaneously making them laugh and feel loved. A funeral will be held on Friday, August 5 at 11 AM at MESNOKOFF FUNERAL HOME, 8630 Transit Rd. East, Amherst N.Y. It will also be livestreamed at mesnakoff.com. A Shiva luncheon will be held on Friday from 1-3 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Assigned Counsel Program, Erie County Bar Association Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society, or to Hospice Foundation.