Edward Timothy Lopes

Portsmouth, - Edward Timothy Lopes, 69, of 31 DeArruda Terrace Portsmouth, died Monday, December 30, 2002 at Beth Israel Deacones Medical Center, Boston, MA.He was the husband of Eva Betty Mello Lopes. Born and raised in Portsmouth, RI on February 23, 1933, he was the son of the late George S. and Catherine Holland Lopes. He was a lifelong resident of Portsmouth. Mr. Lopes graduated from Rogers High School in Newport. He later served his country as a member of the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict from February 1952 to February 1956. He received an honorable discharge with the United Nations, National Defense and Korean Service Medals. Mr. Lopes later began a long, successful career in the construction industry as a constrution manager for the Rowley Construction Company of Pawtucket, RI and B.G. Bailey Construction Company of East Providence, RI. He later ran his own business and in 1992 he was appointed the Deputy Director of Public Works for the Town of Portsmouth. He was apponted to the Director position in January 1995 and recently retired from that position. He leaves behind a long legacy of community service including the Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club, the St. Anthonys Feast Committee, and the Portsmouth Little League Baseball. He was active in Troop 1 Boy Scouting and Cub Scouting in Portsmouth and he was a life member of the Portsmouth Lions Club serving as its president in 1972. More importantly, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Besides his wife of 42 years he is survived by four sons Edward T. Lopes Jr. of Portsmouth, RI, Steven Lopes of Arlington, VA, David A. Lopes of Danbury, CT, and William G. Lopes of Quincy, MA, his grandson Matthew Joseph Lopes, four sisters Ann Fernandes of Tiverton, RI, Catherine Butterworth of Windsor, CT, Barbara Sullivan and Elizabeth Mello both of Middletown, RI, and several nieces, nephews and friends. His funeral will be held on Friday, January 3, 2003, at 9:00 AM from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 AM in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Donations in his memory may be made to the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Dpt. Rescue Wagon Fund, P.O. Box 806, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or to Dana Faber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115.