Andres (Andrew) Lopez

Andres (Andrew) Lopez, age 71, passed away peacefully at his home in Albuquerque on Friday, August 19, 2005. A loving and devoted husband and father, Andres was the eldest of twelve children born to Julian and Tiofila (Ocana) Lopez in Puerto de Luna, N.M. He is survived by his beloved wife Viola Montoya Lopez and his children, Shirley Baros and her husband Raymond; and Vivian Valencia and her husband Tim. He is also survived by a son Donald Andrew Lopez and his son Andrew E. Lopez. His greatest joys were his grandchildren Jacqueline and Arianna Baros and Kevin and Kameron Valencia who loved their Grandpa with all their hearts. He is also survived by his 93 year old mother, Teofila Ocana Lopez from Puerto de Luna, NM and ten brothers and sisters: Horacio Lopez and wife Sandra, Rita Griego, Lorraine Branch and husband Dennis, Joe Lopez and wife Lydia, Dr. Daniel Lopez and wife Linda, Dolores Padilla and husband Serafin, Robert Lopez, Amelia Doyon, Chris Lopez and wife Cathie and George Lopez and wife Debra. Other surviving family members are his sister in law Fedelina Lopez widow of his brother Bonifacio Lopez and his aunts Tina Lopez, widow of his uncle Pablo Lopez, and Rita Padilla. Andres was predeceased by his father Julian Lopez, brother Bonifacio Lopez and brothers in law Mike Doyon and Max Griego. In May 2005 he celebrated his 50th anniversary of his graduation from the University of New Mexico where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Inter-American Affairs. He later completed a Master of Arts from the College of St. Josephs (University of Albuquerque). He pursued further graduate studies at the University of Friedberg in Germany. He retired as Area Director for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 1996. Always an advocate for civil rights, he was devoted to civil rights causes. He proudly served in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany with the 3rd Armored Division from 1955 to 1957. He later served in the U.S. Army reserves until his honorable discharge in 1961. A rosary service will be held Sunday, August 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church 5415 Fortuna Rd. N.W. in Albuquerque recited by Gabriella Nieto. He will then be returned to his beloved Puerto de Luna where a rosary service will be at Nuestra Senora de Refugio Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 22. The Mass of the Resurrection will be on Tuesday, August 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at Nuestra Senora de Refugio Catholic Church on what would have been Andy’s 72nd birthday. The mass will be officiated by his cousin, Father Bill Sanchez. Internment will be at Nuestra Senora de Refugio Cemetery in Puerto De Luna. Pallbearers will be Horacio Lopez, Daniel Lopez, Joe Lopez, Chris Lopez, Lorraine Branch, Venito Vasquez, Jerry Valencia, and Ramon Baros. Honorary pallbearers will be his sons in law Tim Valencia and Raymond Baros, his grandchildren and his brothers and sisters. Memorial donations may be made to the Arianna Baros Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Walk for Cure at NM Educators Credit Union or floral arrangements are also being accepted. All arrangements are entrusted to Chavez Funeral Home, 923 South Third Street, Santa Rosa, New Mexico. (505) 472-3369.