2023 -- H 6302
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
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 P ASSING 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 1
J. Lopes. He was born in Providence, the son of the late Joao and Maria Lopes of San Antao, 2
Cape Verde Islands; and 3
WHEREAS, Mr. Lopes graduated from Hope High School in 1957, where he was named 4
a member of both the Rhode Island Honor Society and the National Honor Society. He graduated 5
from Rhode Island College in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, attained a Master’s degree 6
from Brown University in 1974, and was accepted into Harvard University’s PhD. Program. He 7
also served our nation with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Air Force; and 8
WHEREAS, Mr. Lopes was a hard-working and talented man who was employed at the 9
Rhode Island Department of Human Services, where he rose to the position of Senior Health 10
Insurance Specialist before his retirement. He also served as a firefighter with the Providence Fire 11
Department, was a supervisor for the Vista Volunteer Program and the Providence Corporation, 12
and was a member of the Longshoreman Local #1329; and 13
WHEREAS, Always very proud of his Cape Verdean Heritage, Mr. Lopes was a 14
founding member of the Cape Verdean Independence Day Festival, which is held annually at 15
India Point Park. He also created a collection initiative as part of the festival which established a 16
donation program that provided much-needed school supplies to youngsters in Cape Verde; and 17
WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Lopes was very involved in community and civic affairs. 18
He was one of the original board members of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, and was a 19
member of the Bisca Club and the Band Club, both of New Bedford. He was a very proud 20
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lifetime member of the Fox Point Boys & Girls Club and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1
1983. In retirement, Mr. Lopes served as a volunteer for AmeriCorps and helped to build their 2
International Gallery while also raising funds to purchase guitars for Cape Verdean youth; and 3
WHEREAS, Mr. Lopes leaves behind his two sons, Antonio Lopes, Jr., and his wife, 4
Laura Moore, and Leonard Lopes and his wife, Diane Von Hoffer, and his granddaughter Zhuri 5
Lopes. He is survived by his siblings, Theresa Lopes-Harris, Elizabeth Lopes, and Colonel Albert 6
Lopes (United States Army, Retired), and his former wife, the Honorable Maria Lopes, a step-7
granddaughter, Amanda Michalik and her partner, Marc St. Laurent, and three step-great-8
grandchildren, Harvey, Sabrina and Cleo St. Laurent. Mr. Lopes was the brother of the late 9
Augusta Lopes, Rose Santos, Ernestine Britto, Marcelina Soares, Adeline Lopes and John Lopes; 10
now, therefore be it 11
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 12
expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Antonio J. Lopes; and be it further 13
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 14
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Antonio Lopes, Jr. and Family, and Leonard 15
Lopes and Family. 16
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