Pasi Mendelson (1889 – 1967)

Pasi Mendelson was born on November 24, 1889, in Nesterivka, Ukraine (then part of the Russian Empire). In 1912, he immigrated to the United States, initially settling in Harlem, New York, where he worked as a cap maker. Over time, Pasi transitioned into the hospitality industry, managing hotels in Liberty, New York; Lakewood, New Jersey; and later in Miami, Florida. Alongside his wife Rachel, he established a successful career in this field. In his later years, Pasi and Rachel retired near Miami Beach, Florida, before spending his final years with his daughter, Dorothy, and son-in-law, Dr. Irving Feinberg, in Ellenville, New York.

Nesterivka, Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine (formerly Chigirin, Russian Empire)

In the words of Pasi’s daughter, Anne

“My father and his family – father Fishel Yerichern and his mother Neshama (nee Kanefsky) lived in a small village called Esterifka near Odessa.

“There were ten children, David – Pasi (my father) – Ben – Morris – Sophie – Minnie – Hyman – Abe – Faiga – Rose… The eldest daughter Rose and her husband Abraham stayed in Russia.

“When my father was ready for marriage, his mother sent him to a town where there was a girl she liked. When he got there he met Rachel Sklar and decided he liked her better.

“My grandmother was best friends with the police captain. He would warn her when there would be a pogrom. She kept the store locked – kept her family indoors until the police captain told her it was safe. And so they all survived.

“One day my father got sick and although my grandmother could handle almost everything, she realized this was something else. She put him in a wagon and drove to a hospital in the next town. They told her it was polio and told her about applying compresses. She took him home – treated him and he recovered completely.

“When the boys came of army draft age, my grandmother sent them to America. They all came to NY and settled in Harlem in Manhattan – 101 St. and 3rd Avenue.”

Anne Mendelson Rosenbaum, 1999

Voyage to America: May 8, 1912

Photo credit: Titanic Inquiry Project.1

At 24 years old, Pasi Mendelson, listed as Peisech Mendelsohn on the passenger lists, appeared on both the steerage and second-class manifests of the S.S. Vaderland. The ship departed from Antwerp, Belgium, on April 27, 1912, and arrived in New York on May 8, 1912. Initially, Pasi and his 18-year-old wife Rachel were listed in steerage but were later transferred to second class, as indicated by a cross-out and a remark on the list. The information on both manifests was nearly identical. Pasi, a furrier, and Rachel were both literate. They were identified as Russian and Hebrew. Pasi was born in Nesterivka, Charkasy District, Russia, which was also his last permanent address. His father, Fischel Ch. Mendelson, still resided there. They had $100 and were headed to 334 East 101st Street, Harlem, New York, the home of Pasi’s brother David, who had paid for their passage. Pasi was described as 5’5″ with fair skin, brown hair, and blue eyes.2

According to Anne…

“My father and mother came about three or four months before I was born. My mother did not feel well so she was in the 2nd class of the boat – my father was in 3rd class. But he would come up and eat most of her meals.”

Anne Mendelson Rosenbaum, 1999

David Mendelson’s Home, formerly 334 East 101st Street, Harlem, New York

This block in East Harlem has been redeveloped and the original homes are no longer standing.

Pasi with his wife, Rachel, and daughter, Anne

1915 New York State Census

In 1915, Pasi (spelled Pasah), aged 27, lived with his wife, Rachel (spelled Rachael Mandelson), aged 23, and their 2-year-old daughter, Anna, in a rented apartment at 339 East 101st Street, New York, New York, close to David’s home from 1912. Pasi and Rachel were born in Russia, while Anna was born in the United States. Pasi and Rachel were still listed as aliens, having been in the United States for three years. Pasi worked as a cap maker. His parents and several unmarried siblings also lived in the same building.3 The family remained there until 1917.4

In the words of Rachel’s daughter, Anne…

“[My parents] got an apartment on the third or fourth floor of a tenement – probably with the bathroom to be shared by the other tenants. My father went to work in a cap making factory and worked a twelve hour day. He soon went into business for himself – took some bread an onion, etc., for lunch.”

Anne Mendelson Rosenbaum, 1999

The tenements where Pasi lived with his family no longer exist, having been replaced with much bigger buildings or open grassy areas.

According to Anne…

“After World War I there was a deadly flu epidemic. My father got it and was very sick. When he recovered they found that he had a light case of TB and would have to go to Liberty in upstate NY to cure it. When he got there he did get better. It was a resort area and he decided to go into the hotel business. He took an apartment in Liberty.”

Anne Mendelson Rosenbaum, 1999

1920 United States Census

In 1920, Pasi (listed as Percy), aged 33, and Rachel Mendelson (listed as Rosie), aged 26, lived with their daughters, Annie, 7, and Dorothy, 1 year and 7 months, in a rented apartment at 52 East 104th Street, New York, New York. Their household was the second of 11 in the building. Pasi and Rachel, both born in Russia to Russian parents, had not been naturalized since immigrating in 1912. Annie and Dorothy were born in New York. Both Rachel and Pasi could read, write, and speak English. Pasi worked as a cap maker in a factory, and Annie was in school.5 The family stayed in this apartment until 1922. In 1920, Pasi was listed as the secretary of the Stein Cap Co.6 His initial work in the cap-making industry was a common starting point for many immigrants of the time, providing a stable yet modest livelihood.

George Washington Carver Housing Project, formerly 52 East 104st Street, New York, New York

The street where Pasi and his family lived in 1920 was once full of brownstones and tenements, but in 1955 it became the George Washington Carver Housing Project, and the street has been removed.

In the words of Pasi’s son, Irving…

“[When I was born,] my father was 33 years old and my mother 26 and both had immigrated from Russia about 9 years before. My father was very good with his hands and manufactured caps for men to make his living… My father was one of 5 brothers and 4 sisters and all but 1 came to the United States.”

Irving Mendelson, 1997

1922 Declaration of Intention to Become a US Citizen

On April 14, 1922, Pasi filed paperwork to become a United States citizen. At 32 years old, he still resided at 52 East 104th Street, New York, New York. He was a cap manufacturer, weighing 135 pounds, with brown hair and gray eyes. He listed his birthdate as May 10, 1889, and stated he was born in “Kief,” Russia. He had traveled from Antwerp, Belgium, to New York, New York, on the ship Fatherland, arriving around June 8, 1912. He was married to Rachel, who was also born in “Kief.” A note indicates he issued a duplicate application on April 30, 1924.7

According to Irving…

“Because [my father] worked in very dusty conditions, he became ill with tuberculosis and had to move to Thompsonville, NY, about 100 miles from NYC, and lived on a farm with cows, horses and chickens. During the summer he took in boarders and soon became a hotel owner which he did for the rest of his life in addition to working in a retail food store.”

Irving Mendelson, 1997

1925 New York State Census

In 1925, Pasi, 37, and Rachel Mendelson, 31, lived with their three children, Anna, 12, Dorothy, 7, and Irving, 5, on Thompsonville Road in Thompson, New York. Pasi was a self-employed hotel proprietor, while Rachel was a housewife. Anna and Dorothy were both attending school. Pasi had become a citizen in Monticello, New York, but Rachel was still listed as an alien. The family had been in the United States for 13 years.8

Thompsonville Road, Thompson, New York

According to Irving…

“My parents worked very hard. My mother was the cook and my father did everything else. Even my sister, Dorothy, and I both worked when we were very young and we did not have much family life. We took care of ourselves, for better or worse.”

Irving Mendelson, 1997

According to Anne…

“[Even though he was working as a hotel keeper in Liberty, New York,] my father took an apartment in the Bronx so that when I found a boyfriend he would find me in better surroundings.”

Anne Mendelson Rosenbaum, 1999

1930 United States Census

In 1930, Pasi (listed as Percey), 37, and Rachel Mendelson (listed as Ray), 35, lived with their children, Anne, 17, Dorothy, 12, and Irving, 10, in apartment 4H at 1148 Boynton Avenue, Bronx, New York. Pasi and Rachel had immigrated from Russia in 1912 and were both naturalized citizens. Pasi worked at a grocery store, and all three children attended school. Rachel and Pasi spoke Yiddish and had married when Rachel was 17 and Pasi was 23. All the children were born in New York. Everyone in the household could speak English, but Rachel could not read or write it. They did not own a radio.9

1148 Boynton Avenue, Bronx, New York

Their tenement was built in 1929, making Pasi and his family among the first to live there.10

Pasi, his wife, and extended family at the wedding of his niece, Ruth Kornbluth Zuckerman, on August 10, 1930. Dorothy and Anne Mendelson are standing in the center of the back row.

1931 New York City Directory

In 1931, Pasi lived at 1264 Manor Avenue in the Bronx, New York.11

1264 Manor Avenue, Bronx, New York

Built in 1926, 1264 Manor Avenue, Bronx, New York is a multifamily home.12

According to Anne…

“The hotel business was very difficult. It was before the days of freezers, etc. My father rented a hotel and always needed a partner to shore the rent and work. They were always difficult. I worked in the office with my father – my brother was a bell hop – my sister took care of children. The season was May through Sept.”

Anne Mendelson Rosenbaum, 1999

1940 United States Census

In 1940, Pasi, 50, and Rachel Mendelson (listed as Ray), 44, lived with their children, Dorothy, 22, and Irving, 20, along with their business partners, Morris and Sadie Kriegel, both 50, and three employees: bookkeeper Irene Eby, 21, bellhop Sydney Schrager, 28, and busboy Morris Friedel, 34. They rented and operated the New Kriegel’s Hotel at 121 7th Street, Lakewood, New Jersey. Five years earlier they lived in Liberty, Sullivan County, New York. Pasi and Morris were hotel operators, Rachel and Sadie were housewives, Dorothy worked as a receptionist at a beauty parlor, and Irving was a college student. Pasi and Rachel had completed 8th grade, Dorothy graduated from high school, and Irving had completed three years of college.13

During the 1940s, Lakewood transformed from a rural community into a more developed area, partly due to its proximity to military installations and the increasing suburbanization following World War II. The hotel industry in Lakewood expanded rapidly during this time.14

Formerly 121 7th Street, Lakewood, New Jersey

Once a stand-alone hotel, the building has been absorbed by the larger hotel next door and is now used as an assisted living home.

1942 Registration for the Draft (World War II)

On April 25, 1942, Pasi signed up for the draft using the name Pasi F. Mendelson. At 52 years old, he listed his birthdate as November 30, 1890. His residential address was 241 Central Park West, New York, New York, the home of his daughter. However, his mailing address was the Lakeside Inn in Ferndale, New York, where he was actually living. Born in Kyiv, Russia, he named his daughter, Mrs. Ann Rosenbaum, his next of kin. Pasi was described as 5’6″ tall, weighing 150 pounds, with gray eyes, brown and gray hair, and a fair complexion.15

Ferndale, New York

Lakeside Inn, Ferndale, New York

Advertisement in Yiddish and Translated to English

Although Pasi was in Lakewood, New Jersey, in 1940, he also worked multiple summers in the small enclave of Ferndale, New York, a hamlet in Liberty. On June 26, 1936, Farverts, a Yiddish newspaper based in New York City, published an advertisement for Lakeside Inn. The ad listed the hotel’s owners as Max Eisman, I. Baxter, and Pasi Mendelson.16

Postcards from the Lakeside Inn and Country Club17

According to Anne…

“Eventually after WW2, my father and two partners bought a hotel in Miami. They also rented hotels in Lakewood, NJ.”

Anne Mendelson Rosenbaum, 1999

1947-49 Miami Directory

From 1947 until 1949, Pasi and Rachel (listed as Percy and Ray) lived in and operated the Maxine Hotel at 1756 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida.18

Maxine Bistro & Bar, 1756 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida

The neighboring Catalina Hotel and Beach Club has absorbed the Maxine Hotel. However, the building’s first-floor restaurant still retains the Maxine name, which is prominently displayed on a billboard on the roof.

Maxine Hotel Postcard

Above is a postcard Pasi and Rachel sent to a former guest, inviting them to visit their new hotel, following a previous stay at the Cherry Hill Hotel, which the Mendelsons previously managed. Although there is no evidence of a Cherry Hill Hotel in the area, it’s possible they operated a hotel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.19

1948 Marriage of son, Irving

In 1948, announcements were printed in the Atlanta Constitution, celebrating the engagement and wedding of his son, Irving, to Gloria Lazear. Identified as Mr. Paul Mendelson, he maintained residences in both New York City and Miami, Florida.20

1950 United States Census

In 1950, Pasi (listed Percy), 61, and his wife Rachel (listed Ray) Mendelson, 53, resided at 304 17th Street, Miami Beach, Florida. Although not employed at the time, they had additional sources of income. Both were born in Russia and held citizenship.21

300 17th Street, Miami Beach, Florida

It is unlikely that 304 17th Street, Miami Beach, Florida, ever existed as a regular address. Advertisements from the time offered one and two-bedroom apartments at 300 17th Street. Currently known as Kaskades Hotel South Beach, the first two floors of the building were constructed in 1952.22 It is possible that a different building with multiple addresses existed there in 1950.

1953-58 Miami Beach City Directory

From 1953 to 1958, Pasi (listed as Percy) and Rachel (listed as Ray, Rae, and Anna) Mendelson resided at 1407 and 1411 Meridian Avenue, Apartment 11, Miami Beach, Florida. 23

1407-11 Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida

1407 and 1411 Meridian Avenue belong to the same building, indicating that Pasi and Rachel did not relocate during this period.

Pasi in Group Photos with His Family in the 1960s

According to Anne…

“[My sister] Dorothy took Mom and Pop into the lower section of her home. They were well cared for and happy there… At that time Pop, who was 79, became ill with vascular problems. [Dorothy’s husband] Irv took good care of him. He died when he was 80, on November 10, 1967.”

Anne Mendelson Rosenbaum, 1999

Death of Pasi Mendelson, November 10, 1967

Pasi passed away on November 11, 1967, at 80, in Ellenville, New York, where he lived with his wife, daughter Dorothy, and her family. He was laid to rest in the family plot at Riverside Cemetery in Saddle Brook, New Jersey.24

From the tiny village of Nesterivka, Ukraine, to the bustling streets of New York City and the serene beaches of Miami, Florida, Pasi’s life is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and success. Born in the late 19th century, he spanned some of the most tumultuous periods in modern history, including both World Wars and the Great Depression. Despite these challenges, he carved out a thriving career in the hospitality industry, leaving an indelible mark on every community he touched. His ability to navigate and succeed through difficult times speaks volumes about his character and tenacity.

Sources

  1. “Vaderland,” Titanic Inquiry Project (https://www.titanicinquiry.org/ships/vaderland.php : accessed 1 July 2021). ↩︎
  2. “New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957,” S.S. Vaderland arriving 8 May 1912, sailing from Antwerp, Belgium to New York, NY, entries for Peisech, Rachel Mendelsohn, list 33, p. 100, lines 1-2, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 July 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T715; “New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957,” S.S. Vaderland arriving 8 May 1912, sailing from Antwerp, Belgium to New York, NY, entries for Peisech, Rachel Mendelsohn, list 10, p. 28, lines 6-7, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 July 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T715. ↩︎
  3. 1915 New York Census, New York County, population schedule, New York, p. 188, line 26, Pasah Mandelson, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 July 2021) citing New York State Archives, Albany, New York. ↩︎
  4. R.L. Polk & Co.’s 1915 Trow General Directory of New York City, Embracing the Boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, vol. 128, (New York City: R.L. Polk & Co., 1915), p. 1280, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 July 2024); R.L. Polk & Co.’s Trow General Directory of New York City, Embracing the Boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, 1916, vol. 129, (New York City: R.L. Polk & Co., Inc., Publishers, 1916), p. 1160, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 July 2024); New York City Directory for 1917 (title page missing), p. 1379, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 July 2024). ↩︎
  5. 1920 U.S. Census, New York, New York, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 1184, p. 46 (stamped), 3B (penned), dwelling 11, family 52, Percy Mendelson, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 July 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T625, microfilm 236, roll 1218. ↩︎
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  7. “New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980,” entry for Pasi Mendelson declaration of intention (1922), naturalization file no. 278270, Supreme Court of New York County, image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGKG-VK4P : accessed 14 July 2024). ↩︎
  8. 1925 New York census, Sullivan County, population schedule, Thompson, p. 18, line 41, for Pasi Mendelson, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 January 2021), citing New York State Archives, Albany, New York. ↩︎
  9. 1930 U.S. census, Bronx County, New York, population schedule, New York City, enumeration district (ED) 3-430, p. 24B, dwelling 82, family 616, Percy Mendelson, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 January 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T626. ↩︎
  10. “1148 Boynton Ave, Bronx, NY 10472,” realtor.com (https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1148-Boynton-Ave-Apt-1A_Bronx_NY_10472_M49339-25261 : accessed 19 January 2021). ↩︎
  11. Manhattan and Bronx Residential Directory 1931, (New York City: Manhattan and Bronx Directory Publishers, 1931), p. 670, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 July 2024). ↩︎
  12. “1264 Manor Ave., Bronx, NY 10472,” realtor.com (https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1264-Manor-Ave-Bsmt-1_Bronx_NY_10472_M31633-39169 : accessed 14 July 2024). ↩︎
  13. 1940 U.S. Census, Ocean County, New Jersey, population schedule, Lakewood Township, enumeration district (ED) 14-33, p. 5A, household 68, Pasi Mendelson, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 January 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 2374. ↩︎
  14. “Historic Hotels of Lakewood,” Lakewood Historical Society (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/208acf0511024d9686f5fa812fbf535d : accessed 15 July 2024). ↩︎
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  16. “Advertisement: Lakeside Inn,” Farverts, New York, NY, 26 June 1936, p. 11, col. 2, image, The National Library of Israel (https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/frw/1936/06/26/01/article/89.2/?e=——-he-20–1–img-txIN%7ctxTI————–1 : accessed 14 July 2024). ↩︎
  17. Alfred S. Landis, Main building of Lakeside Inn and Country Club, Ferndale, N.Y., 1955, Postcard, A.S. Landis, Wurstboro, NY, images, Northeastern University Library (http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20203890 : accessed 14 July 2024); Max Schwartz, Air view, Lakeside Inn and Country Club, Ferndale, N. Y., ca. 1930-1945, Postcard, Max Schwartz Co., So. Fallsburg, N.Y., Tichnor Brothers Postcard Collection, images, Boston Public Library (https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/xg94hz78n : 14 July 2024). ↩︎
  18. Polk’s Miami City Directory, 1947, (Miami, FL: R.L. Polk & Co., 1947), p. 704, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 July 2024); Polk’s Miami (Dade County, Fla.) City Directory, 1949, (Richmond, VA: R.L. Polk & Co., Publishers, 1949), p. 704, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 July 2024). ↩︎
  19. The Maxine, Miami Beach, Fla., 1948, Postcard, Colourpictures Publication, Boston, MA, images, Hippostcards (https://www.hippostcard.com/listings/listing/watch/name/1940s-maxine-hotel-miami-beach-florida-fl-b5079/id/15939222: accessed 13 July 2024). ↩︎
  20. “Couple Plans June Wedding,” The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA, 12 April 1948, p. 12, col. 6, image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution/60701712/ : accessed 7 October 2020), clip page by user genistory; “Atlantan Marries in New York Rites,” The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA, 19 September 1948, p. 14C, col. 4, image, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution/21077781/ : accessed 19 June 2018), clip page by user genistory. ↩︎
  21. 1950 U.S. Census, Dade County, Florida, population schedule, Miami Beach, enumeration district (ED) 13-250, p. 71, dwelling 83, Percy Mendelson, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 July 2024), citing NARA publication P1, roll 3601. ↩︎
  22. “300 17th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139,” PropertyShark (https://www.propertyshark.com/mason/Property/27331110/300-17-St-Miami-Beach-FL-33139/ : accessed 14 July 2024). ↩︎
  23. Polk’s Miami (Dade County, Fla.) City Directory, 1953-54, (Richmond, VA: R.L. Polk & Co. and Publishers, 1953), p. 770, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 July 2024); Polk’s Miami (Dade County, Fla.) 1955 City Directory, (Richmond, VA: R.L. Polk & Co. and Publishers, 1955), p. 259, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 July 2024); Polk’s Miami (Dade County, Fla.) City Directory 1957, (Richmond, VA: R.L. Polk & Co. and Publishers, 1957), p. 337, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 July 2024); Polk’s Miami (Dade County, Fla.) City Directory 1958, (Miami, FL: R.L. Polk & Co. and Publishers, 1958), p. 319, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 July 2024). ↩︎
  24. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85648548/pasi-mendelson : accessed 14 July 2024), memorial page for Pasi Mendelson (unknown–10 Nov 1967), Find a Grave Memorial ID 85648548, citing Riverside Cemetery, Saddle Brook, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA, Maintained by LoveTrees (contributor 47972380). ↩︎

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