Antonio Lopez has gone to join our Lord on January 6th, 2022. Tony suffered from Parkinsons. Tony was born in Bronx, New York to Paulina Caro and Manuel Lopez Sr. from Puerto Rico. The family relocated to Brooklyn, N.Y. where Tony graduated from Bushwick High School.
Mr. Lopez enlisted in the United States Army in December of 1967. He was Specialist 5, stationed at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. He taught topography to his fellow soldiers who were being deployed to Vietnam, and on his time off, he served on an Army drill team. Tony was stationed at Camp Mercer, Korea with the 40th Engineering Company for 13 months where he met his wife and fellow soldier Spc 5 Frances Rios WA Corps from Menard, Texas. Tony and Frances married on January 3rd, 1969. (They had recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary)
Tony attended the University of Texas in Austin, Tony graduated with Honors from Pratt Institute in New York with a degree in architecture. Tony also graduated with Honors from Regis University with a Masters in Business Law and in Mathematics. He became a professor at Colorado University and Devry University in Colorado.
His love of teaching led him to teach ESL at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Colorado Springs. Tony's first Job was with N.Y. Con Edison, retired from Grumman Aerospace in Long Island, N.Y. and later from Northrup Grumman as a Project Manager.
Tony was a proud member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he served on the finance committee in the city of Menard. He served as Protem Mayor in the city of Menard and on the Revitalization Committee.
Mr. Lopez was a true New York Yankee fan. He loved to dance to any music with his beautiful wife Frances. He was a semi pro baseball player in Austin Texas, and champion team baseball player for the "Harvey Wallbangers" in New York. Mr. Lopez earned the rank of black belt in Korean Martial Arts.
Survivors include his faithful wife Frances Rios Lopez of Menard. His only son Antonio Lopez Jr., his partner Megan Gomez and granddaughter Abbriana Bernadette Lopez and grandson Anton Hilario Lopez. Also surviving are Tony's sisters Rosa Quiles, Jeanette Besosa Rodriquez from N.Y., Sulma Ivette Lopez - Nevarez and brother Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico along with several nieces and nephews.
Awaiting Tony at Heaven's gate are his parents Paulina Caro Besosa, Manuel Lopez Sr. and Victor (Pete) Besosa, His brother Manuel Lopez Jr. (N.Y. Fire Dept.Ret) and Victor Besosa Jr. with his nephew Lemuel Nevarez.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the American Heart Association. May God Rest His Soul.
A Rosary will be held on Sunday, January 16 at 6:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Hall, in Menard, with services to be held on Monday, January 17th at the church. Interment will follow the service at the Garden of Memories in Menard.
Condolences may be sent to the family on-line at masonfuneralhome.net.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Mason Funeral Home.