"Dear Coach Mantell and Family, I, along with my family, were astonished when we were made aware of the news. On behalf of my entire family, we are deeply sorry for your loss. I haven't personally known you for a very long time, but it didn't take me much time to know how great of a father, a teacher, and a coach you were, and you never hesitated to display it, whether it was on or off the football field. Throughout your life, you have brought so many smiles to people's faces and you have impacted your community greatly with your positivity, as well as your fun and outgoing personality. The memories I have with you may lack in quantity, but are abundant in quality. Your ability to connect with the people surrounding you showed how compassionate you were for your community. You were a great role model, and still are. Your leadership will never perish. Thank you for everything you have done. I love you coach. -Adriano P. "
In loving memory of
Kevin E. Mantell
March 17, 1981 - May 17, 2022
Kevin E. Mantell
Greece: Passed away on May 17, 2022. Kevin is survived by his loving wife, Kelly Burdick; children, Miles & Elyzabeth Mantell; parents, Dave & Colleen Mantell; brothers, Mike (Janice) Mantell & Jeffrey (Jenelle) Mantell; grandfather, Jack Smith; mother-in-law & father-in-law, Gloria & Stephen Burdick; brother-in-law, Chad Burdick; nieces & nephews, Holden, Harrison, Maria, Joshua & Jonathan; aunts, uncles & cousins.
Kevin was a teacher and coach with the Bernabi Elementary School in Spencerport.
Kevin's life story will be shared during visitation, 1:00 -5:00 pm Sunday, May 22nd at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane. His funeral service will follow at 5:00 pm. Memorial donations can be made in Kevin's name to his children's college funds, checks made payable to Melyssa Mantell-Huson, 1411 Vintage Lane, Rochester, 14626
Kevin Mantell's Life Story
On St. Patrick's Day in 1981, Kevin Mantell was born at Highland Hospital in Rochester, NY. Although his Grandpa Crandall insisted on calling him "Patrick" at first, the name "Kevin" stuck. His parents, Dave & Colleen Mantell, welcomed Kevin into a loving home.
Dave worked as the Town of Greece Assistant Recreation Director for 20 years, the Director for Monroe County Special Olympics for 3 years, and at St. Joseph's Villa for 10 years. He was Kevin's basketball, baseball, and bowling coach, too! Colleen worked as an elementary school teacher for 37 years. She helped with schoolwork, driving the kids to their various appointments, and was the "home coach" for family activities.
Kevin had two brothers: Mike and Jeffrey. Eldest child Mike was Kevin's baseball partner and they loved to compete with one another. Kevin was jealous of Mike's great hair and Mike eventually grew to love Kevin's sense of humor. Jeffrey was the cute (if pesky) little brother who brought girls over for the brothers to befriend. Kevin always joked about how, since he was the middle child, his brothers got preferential treatment. The kids spent their summers camping at the family's trailer making campfires, going swimming, riding bikes, and doing home run derbies. They were a Buffalo Bills family and had season tickets throughout Kevin's childhood. When the kids weren't outside or at a sporting event, you could find them acting out "The Three Amigos" movie in the living room. Pets were included in the Mantell family's lives, too. Mickey and Scooter (cats) and Buddy (a dog) were beloved by all.
Kevin attended Holmes Road Elementary and Buckman Heights Elementary in Greece, NY. He went on to be a National Honor Society student at Greece Olympia High School where he played baseball, football, and basketball. Kevin later attended SUNY Brockport where he earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Physical Education.
After completing his education, Kevin worked as an Elementary Physical Education teacher at Bernabi Elementary School in the Spencerport Central School District. Kevin's colleagues at Spencerport were important to him and he valued being a part of their community. He coached Junior High and High School sports, too. Most recently, Kevin was the Assistant Varsity Coach for the football program, the Baseball coach, and the track coach. Much like his parents, Kevin strove to improve the lives of young people through education and recreation.
In his free time, Kevin enjoyed playing sports, reading (especially his favorite author, Harlan Coben), cooking, swimming, fishing, and fantasy football. He remained an avid fan of the Bills and was also a fan of the New York Yankees, the Buffalo Sabres, and the Syracuse Orange. For Bills games, Kevin went all out. He made homemade bread and sauce to make each gameday special.
Kevin's family meant the world to him. He and Kelly Burdick went to the same high school and college. While they were just acquaintances during this time, Kevin remembered Kelly from the Buckman School summer program and a college-required dance class. They met again through an online site in December of 2018, started dating, and fell in love immediately. They enjoyed spending time in the city going for walks, bike rides, having dinner out, and cooking together.
Kelly met Kevin's children; Miles (now 8) and Elyzabeth (now 6) soon after they began dating, and the bond with them was instant. Kevin and Kelly moved into a townhouse together and purchased a home in Greece shortly after. The pair married on July 11, 2020, during the pandemic in a small and intimate ceremony in Kelly's parents' backyard. The day was extra special because it was the first time both families and the cousins had all been able to be together for a long time. It down poured almost the entire time, but it only made the day even more memorable. The kids all went in the pool and played while Kevin and Kelly danced to their wedding song, "Into the Mystic," under a party tent.
During their marriage, they loved listening to music together, laughed all the time, enjoyed their hot tub, and spent lots of quality time with Miles, Elyzabeth, family, and friends. Kevin and Kelly enjoyed travelling to Nashville together, honeymooning in St. Lucia, and taking the kids camping and to waterparks. The entire Mantell family rented a beach home in North Carolina during the summer of 2021 and had a great time together. During that trip, a cockroach was on the balcony. While he was trying to flick the bug away, it jumped, and Kevin ran across the balcony almost knocking his mom over! Everyone had a great laugh after that.
Kevin and Kelly's marriage was one filled with support, love, and laughter. They were each other's rock through life's challenges. Happy or sad, they were always there for each other. Kevin loved laughing at what he called her "Kelly-isms" (when she often got sayings or words wrong) and laughed, even more, when she talked like she had a Minnesotan accent. The summer was their favorite season and they loved to be outside spending time in Kelly's parents' pool and enjoying nature. The Sunday before Kevin's passing, he said multiple times that he was "really happy" as he drove to Miles and Elyzabeth's mom's house in Farmington to surprise them with lemonade from their favorite stand.
Kevin was a member of a large group of high school friends from Greece that managed to stay close over the years. Along with his family, these friends can attest that Kevin's sense of humor and big-hearted nature lit up the room and made everyone feel welcome. Kevin was known for making people laugh - with his mischievous eyes spelling trouble and his innocent smile getting him out of it.
Family was the center of Kevin's life. Spending time and making happy memories together was his priority. Each year, he hosted a party to watch "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" at which the whole family dressed up as characters from the film. Kelly even bought him a life-sized cutout of Clark Griswold! Kevin was a dedicated and loving dad. Each sports game or recital was a special event.
Kevin leaves a legacy of love with his own children, his nieces and nephews, and the students and players of Spencerport. Kevin was a leader and example of kindness, and he will be missed deeply by those fortunate enough to have met him.
Tributes
"To the Mantell Family: although it's been many year since I have seen any of you, my heart is saddened for your terrible loss. Colleen you taught our Daughter Michelle at Barnard & I remember Jeff from his friendship with our Grandson Mike Fragassi. May all your memories give you comfort during this difficult time. You will all be in my thoughts & prayers. "
"Mr and Mrs. Mantell and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Kevin was such a charismatic guy with a great sense of humor. I have such fond memories of spending time at your house with Jeff and Kevin when we were kids. Words are not enough, but I wish you all the strength to cope with this terrible loss. Mike Fragassi"
"Mr & Mrs Mantell, Mike, Jeffrey & Kelly - we are SO sorry for your loss. When we heard the news yesterday our entire family was shocked and saddened, but we all shared great memories we will hold forever of our time on the baseball fields and camping as kids. Catching up over the years with Kevin was always a highlight. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. Michele, Renee, Jim and Joanne Gligora "
"My dear friend, what a gigantic hole you left behind. Your smile and charisma was felt all over Bernabi and the community alike. I am blessed to have called you a friend and I hope you feel the love we all have for you. The world was made better because you were in it ?? Gurzy "
"Dear Coach, You were an excellent role model, leader, and coach. You forged young boys into men through your emphasis on character, and you were one of the most joyous leaders to be around because of your pure kindness. You truly cared about each and every one of us in your program, and I thank you for being a core part of my life with football and the Spencerport community that you made better every day. We?ll miss you, love you coach! Scottie"
"Dear Kevin, I love you so much! You were such an amazing man with a heart of gold. You made me laugh like no one else could! I will miss you so much! May you rest in peace. I?m hoping the second you got to heaven all of your family and friends who went before you were there to give you a huge hug. You were such good father, husband, brother, son, friend, teacher and coach. Everyone in life who came in contact with you was lucky to know you. I will miss you more then words could ever explain. I can?t believe this is real. Love you, Emily "
"He was the best gym teacher you could ask for. He will be missed in Spencerport schools."