Daniel R. Wynn
The First Coast community is experiencing painful and heavy losses due to the deaths of Daniel Ruben Wynn (79) on Sunday, February 23, 2025 and Padrica Mendez (87) on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Mendez and Wynn were cultural treasures who shared their talents throughout the community and the world at large.
Like James Weldon and John Rosemond Johnson, Mendez and Wynn were Jacksonville/LaVilla born natives; they too along with their works, deeds and services were globally recognized. Dan’s skills were in paintings and sculptures, he also modeled. Pádraic’s talents were singing, designing, tailoring and modeling. A lyric soprano, trained locally and in Rome, Italy, Padrica was acclaimed for her performances and she had multiple professions. Age didn’t retire Mendez nor Wynn from a life of service. They were proficient, productive and extremely creative. Padrica’s daddy was Pedro Medez, the Cuban tailor he taught, his wife Janie and their three children, Padrica, Mariano and Pedro, Jr. to become skillful tailors. Although the children were college graduates, each one of them carried on the tailoring trade all through life. Annually Padrica created magnificent outfits for performers in Juneteenth and other cultural celebrations.
Padrica M. Mendez
Dan’s parents, Jack D. (Mary) Wynn, Sr., owned and operated the Wynn Hotel/Lenape Tavern at 636 W. Ashley Street and other businesses. Dan’s paintings hung in private homes, offices, galleries, the United States Capitol, the Governor’s Mansion, Paris, France and with Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in the viewing audience. Councilwoman Gwen G. Yates led the effort to commission Daniel Wynn to create the life size bronze sculpture of a Negro baseball player that stands at the entrance of the Myrtle Avenue, now James P. Small Baseball Park.
Thanks be to God for Padrica M. Mendez and Daniel R. Wynn, Rest-In-Peace My Loves.
Visitation and Celebration of Life for Padrica Mendez was Wednesday, March 5, at Coleman, Walker, Berry Mortuary, 6650 Moncrief Road and Thursday, March 6, at Bethel Baptist Church, 215 Bethel Baptist Street.
Viewing for Daniel Wynn will be Friday, March 7 from 5-7 p.m. and Services will be held Saturday, March 8, 11:00 a.m. at Weston’s Mortuary, 3027 N. Myrtle Avenue.
