2023 -- H 6302

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF ANTONIO J. LOPES

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale,
Casimiro, Solomon, McEntee, Kennedy, Edwards, and Tanzi

     Date Introduced: April 20, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Antonio

J. Lopes. He was born in Providence, the son of the late Joao and Maria Lopes of San Antao,

Cape Verde Islands; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Lopes graduated from Hope High School in 1957, where he was named

a member of both the Rhode Island Honor Society and the National Honor Society. He graduated

from Rhode Island College in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, attained a Master’s degree

from Brown University in 1974, and was accepted into Harvard University’s PhD. Program. He

also served our nation with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Air Force; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Lopes was a hard-working and talented man who was employed at the

Rhode Island Department of Human Services, where he rose to the position of Senior Health

Insurance Specialist before his retirement. He also served as a firefighter with the Providence Fire

Department, was a supervisor for the Vista Volunteer Program and the Providence Corporation,

and was a member of the Longshoreman Local #1329; and

     WHEREAS, Always very proud of his Cape Verdean Heritage, Mr. Lopes was a

founding member of the Cape Verdean Independence Day Festival, which is held annually at

India Point Park. He also created a collection initiative as part of the festival which established a

donation program that provided much-needed school supplies to youngsters in Cape Verde; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Lopes was very involved in community and civic affairs.

He was one of the original board members of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, and was a

member of the Bisca Club and the Band Club, both of New Bedford. He was a very proud

lifetime member of the Fox Point Boys & Girls Club and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in

1983. In retirement, Mr. Lopes served as a volunteer for AmeriCorps and helped to build their

International Gallery while also raising funds to purchase guitars for Cape Verdean youth; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Lopes leaves behind his two sons, Antonio Lopes, Jr., and his wife,

Laura Moore, and Leonard Lopes and his wife, Diane Von Hoffer, and his granddaughter Zhuri

Lopes. He is survived by his siblings, Theresa Lopes-Harris, Elizabeth Lopes, and Colonel Albert

Lopes (United States Army, Retired), and his former wife, the Honorable Maria Lopes, a step-

granddaughter, Amanda Michalik and her partner, Marc St. Laurent, and three step-great-

grandchildren, Harvey, Sabrina and Cleo St. Laurent. Mr. Lopes was the brother of the late

Augusta Lopes, Rose Santos, Ernestine Britto, Marcelina Soares, Adeline Lopes and John Lopes;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Antonio J. Lopes; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Antonio Lopes, Jr. and Family, and Leonard

Lopes and Family.

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