Richard W. Lopez

Richard W. Lopez

Richard W. Lopez, 81, of Erie, died Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at UPMC Hamot after an extended illness.

He was born May 23, 1933 in Erie, a son of the late Ricardo and Teresa Donatucci Lopez.

Richard attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Academy High School. He served in the United States Army and worked at Jerilu Fruits for over 40 years.

He was an active member of Sacred Heart Church and served on many committees there.

Throughout his life Richard had numerous names such as Junior, Spanky, Lopes, Hee-Hi, Sifu, Joe, Dick, Joe Bananas, Papa and Papa Kung Fu. He touched many lives through the teaching of Martial Arts and influenced many people with his lifelong friendships.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathy Lopez Loomis; a brother, Joseph Lopez and two sisters and their spouses, Mary Eichner (Jerry) and Rose Gamble (Kenneth).

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Alice A. Abbey Lopez of Erie; two daughters, Lisa Lopez of Harborcreek and Linn Rater (Randy) of Waterford; one son, Ricky Lopez (Sandy) of Erie and dear friend who was also like a son, Michael DeMarco of Santa Fe; a nephew, Ken Gamble, a sister-in-law, Ruth Lopez of Erie and nine grandchildren, Aaron Lopez (Gina), Beth Ann Ploss (John), Katie Dream ford (Daniel), Allison Loomis, Emily, Jacob and Lucia Zamierowski, and Lindsey and Ryan Rater. He is also survived by 3 great-grandchildren, Dominic and Alaina Lopez and Jack Bradley Ploss and many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Thursday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and may attend a service there followed by a Funeral Mass on Friday at Sacred Heart RC Church, 816 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16508, at times to be announced. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Church.