Donald Mendres

Donald Mendres, who owned Hampton Teak in Wainscott and lived on Kettle Hole Road in Montauk for 15 years, died at home on Nov. 15, apparently of a heart attack. He was 72 and had been ill for about six months. 

“He was a natural born salesman,” said his wife, Susan Wells of Montauk. “His work was everything to him. He worked seven days a week as long as I knew him.” Ms. Wells said that she planned to continue the business, which is in a red barn on Montauk Highway, but “I could never be as good as he was.” 

Mr. Mendres was born on March 29, 1944, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Nikolas Mendres and the former Mary Grako. He grew up there and belonged to the Greek Orthodox Church, Ms. Wells said. 

He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force and went to Vietnam, his wife said. Though Canada did not fight in the Vietnam War, a number of its troops were deployed to help enforce the Paris Peace Accords there. For a time, he lived in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Landenberg, Pa.

He earned a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Manitoba and later taught psychology, also in Manitoba. “When he decided he preferred sales to psychology, he worked for a medical supply company, and then started his own businesses,” Ms. Wells said. He was an entrepreneur, and invented Plastikoil, a plastic spiral binding for books. 

But he was in the business of teak furniture longer than any other, she said. The couple enjoyed dining at Gosman’s restaurant in Montauk, for which Mr. Mendres had provided tables and chairs. 

Mr. Mendres’s first marriage ended in divorce. He and Ms. Wells were married on Sept. 6, 2001. They lived in Montauk for eight months of the year, spending winters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was “wonderful, warm, caring, and generous,” his wife said, and loved his dog, Tavish. 

In addition to Ms. Wells, Mr. Mendres is survived by two stepchildren, Michael Obraitis of Fort Lauderdale and Sarah Obraitis Dufour of Long Island City, as well as three step-grandchildren. A brother, Robert Mendres, died before him.

“He was wonderful to his children, and adored his grandchildren,” Ms. Wells said. “I will miss him terribly.” 

A funeral Mass was said on Nov. 25 at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk, the Rev. Thomas Murray officiating. Mr. Mendres was cremated, and his ashes were buried at Fort Hill Cemetery in Montauk. 

His family has suggested memorial contributions to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, P.O. Box 901, Wainscott 11975, or arfhamptons.org.