Louis Enrique Lopez


Louis “Lou” Enrique Lopez, 91, passed away Saturday August 20, 2022 after a long illness, cared for at home for all but the last three weeks, by his wife of almost 69 years, Mona (Finnan) Lopez.  Lou was born in NYC during the depth of the depression in 1931.  As a young man his father, Enrique Lopez, had fled Pancho Villa’s marauding revolutionaries in Mexico, leaving behind the affluent  family ranch and 14 siblings, eventually finding administrative work at the Mexican Embassy.  Lou’s mother, Alicia Chinchilla Rodriguez, took the equally courageous step of leaving her family and Puerto Rican homeland as a young, single, but college- educated woman.   Enrique and Alicia married and together they raised Lou as part of New York’s growing Hispanic community.


While attending Xavier Military Academy as a high school student, he was particularly proud of his ROTC membership and lifelong friendships with classmates and the Jesuit priests who helped shape his strong Catholic faith.  He began college life at Fordham University but completed his studies at The Ohio State University, made possible by a track scholarship.  Though his outstanding relay team was nationally competitive, he fell short of an Olympic Dream. This would fuel a fulfilled desire years later to bring his entire family of 7  to Mexico City in 1968 to view the Olympic Games, including many track events. 


During college summers Lou escaped the NYC heat by caddying with his Sigma Nu fraternity brothers at the Lake Placid Club in Lake Placid, New York. It was there that he met and married a Lake Placid native coed waitressing at the club. Upon graduation, Lou served as First Lieutenant in the US Army for two years in New Orleans and  Thule, Greenland, followed by service in the Reserves. Upon his return to civilian life, a business card from a former grateful Lake Placid Club golfer led to an entry level position at the Spencer Trask brokerage firm on Wall Street (where it’s believed Lou was the first Hispanic hired to a white collar job on Wall Street).  He  was eventually promoted to Head Cashier, the youngest ever, at the age of 28. As a result, Lou and Mona were able to purchase a brand new single family home in Piscataway, NJ where they raised five children and resided for 60 years. 

 
During those years, Lou and Mona were among the movers and shakers of their Mitchell Avenue neighborhood and greater community, organizing annual neighborhood events, softball leagues, political campaigns and always, always boisterous parties for their beloved family of friends.  Throughout, Lou was intensely present, as a fierce competitor, loyal friend, supportive father and patriotic American.  He loved traveling the world, movies (especially any film featuring Spencer Tracy), Dewers scotch (some ice, a little water, always stirred), dancing with Mona, his life-long dance partner extraordinaire, The Ohio State University (he wore his college ring and OSU cap every day of his life) and arguing politics.  In that arena, he was never wrong.  Or so he said. He served on the Piscataway Board of Education, and was a twenty year member and president of Community Access for the Handicapped.


More than anything, he loved his family.  Lou was predeceased by his son Ricky (Ricardo Enrique). He is survived by his wife Mona, his daughters Lisa (Alicia) Lopez and her husband Victor (of Canton, MA), and Tina (Christina Maria) Lopez (of Norton, MA),  Maria  (Mariaelena) Dispenziere and her husband Tony (of Middlesex NJ) and son, Christopher Lopez (of Piscataway, NJ) and daughter-in -aw Kelly Lopez (of Bridgewater, NJ.) Lou took particular joy in his 12 grandchildren, Nicki, Alex, Kara, Nick, Tony, Vinny, Dana, Mikey, Sal, Savannah, Gianna and Jake and 7 great grandchildren, Maddyn, Cole, Nico, JD, Thomas, Louie and Mariam.


Though Lou will regretfully not be physically present, he will be sending his love and best wishes to new granddaughters in-law Regina, Alexandra and Nicole who will be marrying grandsons Sal, Nick and Vinnie this upcoming September, October and November.  


A funeral Mass  will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at  330 Pratt St., Mansfield MA,  at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 31st, followed immediately thereafter by a Celebration of Life and reception for family and friends at Red Mill Village Meeting House, 1 Codding Rd., Norton, MA. No flowers please. Donations may be made in Lou’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.  

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10 Condolences

  1. Francisco (chelino) Fernández de Cordova (you family from México) on August 23, 2022 at 8:56 am

    Wow, I send our simpathy to all the family, uncle lou was a great person and lea es behind so much love in every person who met him, we are so sorry for you lost



  2. Diana, Jason, Brayden, Frankie and Lorelai on August 23, 2022 at 9:21 am

    Tina, Mona, Nicki, Kara and Family,
    Thinking of all of you during this difficult time. Lou was the sweetest, kindest and most loving man. I remember him always with a smile and very warm and welcoming. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Much love and hugs.
    Diana Paladino Christopher and Family xoxo



  3. Emma Fernandez de Cordova on August 23, 2022 at 10:44 am

    Very proud of uncle Lou, of all his achievements. We will always have him in our hearts, having spent time with Lou and all the family in Cancun was one of the most beautiful experiences.

    Our heartfelt condolences to all the family.



  4. Mike Gilmartin on August 23, 2022 at 11:23 am

    Farewell to a good man who ran well the race of life. In his wake, innumerable great memories have been left which will bring smiles and joy to us all in the years to come. His passion and vigor will be missed.



  5. William M. Levine on August 23, 2022 at 4:54 pm

    I knew Lou briefly in the 1970’s and he was always a complete gentleman with me, despite my connection to a Big 10 school of lesser stature. RIP, Lou; and condolences to all of his friends and, especially, family.



  6. Rose Pacillo Zeltser on August 24, 2022 at 10:12 am

    Reading Lou’s life achievements reminds me of the warm,open, and fun loving man he always presented. I feel blessed spending a winter vacation in PR with victor and Lisa and Mary jo and Jimmy when we saw a lot of Lou and Mona. He always had a funny story and seemed to know every subject
    He will be missed
    love to his great family



  7. Anne Zanarini on August 24, 2022 at 10:42 pm

    We are thinking of you Tina during this time. I feel so fortunate to have met him. What wonderful life he had. Sending hugs! Anne, Hank, John, and Alan



  8. Regina Boffi on August 29, 2022 at 8:34 am

    Our deepest condolences.
    From all of us at Optimal Home Health Care.



  9. Andy Nease on August 29, 2022 at 7:24 pm

    I am very sorry for your loss. Thoughts are with the family.



  10. Dr. & Mrs. Abel Moreyra on August 30, 2022 at 8:37 am

    Beautiful person and great friend. He will be in our hearts forever. Our condolences to Mona and Family. Love, Maria Elena&Abel Moreyra



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