Steve Bendel Jr., 54, of Amberwood Trail, the owner of Bendel Enterprises Incorporated (B.E.I.) passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack on May 12. Frank Quinlan, one of Mr. Bendel’s employees, is leading an effort to raise money and donate it in Mr. Bendel’s memory.
      “Mr. Bendel was the type of man that would not turn anyone down. He would put everyone in front of him and put himself at the bottom of the list. Mr. Bendel would drop everything he was doing to go and help someone in need,” Quinlan said.
      “I am that little boy in the poem Ditch Diggers, who plays with Lincoln logs and Tonka trucks. Thanks to Mr. Bendel, my mentor and friend, he saw this love I had and allowed me the opportunity to work beside him. From the time I was 11-years-old, I would spend my summers working alongside him, learning the trade. I too am a ditch digger and Mr. Bendel was the reason for it. I want to use this fund to help other future ditch diggers as well,” Quinlan said, adding “Since Mr. Bendel was taken from his life too early, all of his good deeds and favors could never possibly be repaid. With this memorial fund, I am hoping to pay all of his good deeds forward.”
      A portion of the funds raised will be donated to Glenwood Junior High and Boardman High School, both of which Mr. Bendel was an alumni. The donation for Glenwood Junior High will help with the purchasing of equipment and supplies for the Boardman Makers Club. The donation for Boardman High School will aid with the redevelopment of the industrial art classes.
      Mr. Bendel was a 1984 graduate of Boardman High School. While in high school he won the prestigious Lincoln Electric welding award and also the Golden Hammer.
      “It is my hope that the funds donated to these two schools will help to teach students the tools of the trade that are needed to be future ditch diggers,” Quinlan said.
      The rest of funds raised will be donated the Mike Rowe Works Foundation. The Mike Rowe Works Foundation is a foundation that raises money for students who have the dedication and work ethic to go into the trades. The foundation gives scholarships to those students who are in need. The foundation doesn’t just pick random kids to give the scholarships to. They are awarded them to people with a dedication to their trade.
      “Mr. Bendel left behind his family including a wife, four daughters, a brother and the B.E.I. business. If you were fortunate enough to know Mr. Bendel, you know that he was one of the nicest people around here. He was also one of the best equipment operators in the Mahoning Valley,” Quinlan said.
      Persons wishing to donate in Mr. Bendel’s memory can call 330-719-4295; or go to
      https://gofund.me/32fb2172
      “I would like to say thank you in advance for any donations large or small. If you cannot make a donation, please keep the Bendel family in your hearts and prayers,” Quinlan said.