ecil Lopez, 96, of Clearwater, died on July 21, 2018 at home surrounded by his family. He was born and raised in Ybor City.
Military
He served in the Coast Guard in Key West, coastal defense, during WWll earning an American Theatre Ribbon, a Good Conduct Award and a WWll Victory Medal.
After the war, he came home and married his sweetheart, Elvira Dorado Lopez. They have been married 66 years. He and his brother Henry owned and operated the shoe repair business on Cleveland Street in downtown Clearwater for over 50 years until he retired in 2002.
Family
He was predeceased by his brother Henry, his sister, Eva Bravo & his son Kenny Lopez 43 years ago. He is survived by his wife, Elvira, daughter, Pam (Tom) Gleason, Clearwater and a son, David (Fran)Lopez, Safety Harbor, 4 grandchildren, Jennifer, Tommy, Kristen & Sarah, 3 great grandchildren, Colton, Emma & Zoey.
Cecil and Elvira enjoyed cruises and traveled to many places including Alaska and Hawaii, Spain, the Caribbean and New England.
Services
A celebration of Cecil’s life will be held 10am Friday, July 27th at First Assembly of God, 1739 S. Martin Luther King Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756. Burial will follow at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park with military honors. Contributions can be made in his memory to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
Friends are invited to sign his guestbook and share a memory at www.VeteransFuneralCare.com
Cecil was like a second father to me and I usually just called him “Dad”. He was the reason I studied Spanish and ended up spending my life teaching it and traveling to Spanish-speaking countries. My love goes out to all of you! I’m so glad I got to visit with him last month, even though he probably didn’t even know who I was. God comfort you all as only He can.
Sheryl
Pam,
After meeting your mom and brother, and especially reading the old St. Pete Times articles about him, I really wish I had gotten to know him. I remember his shoe repair store well and I was a customer! You were blessed with a great dad who was a worker! I know he must have been proud of you.
To the family,
Although I did not personally know Mr. Lopez, I’d like to share my condolences with his family. I am a colleague of his granddaughter, Jenny, at Texas State. If she is anything like her granddad, and I’m sure she is, he was a winner!
Prayers of comfort,
Karen Chisum
To Cecil family he was my first cousin, loved him very much, when I was young I loved fixing his hair. Even though they are no longer with us the loving memories will last forever.
To The Family: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family . May the love and support of family, friends and shared special memories provide peace and comfort to each of you during this time. With deepest sympathy, love, Sandy Rada.
I did not know Cecil but Elvira & Pam are friends of mine.
I feel very sad for the family. A loss of a loved one is always a sad time for all.
Elvira spoke so highly of Cecil, the love of her life.
Cecil lived a long life & I know the family have MANY happy memories of times
spent together.
My prayers are going straight to God to hold this family close & be with them as they
get thru days to come.
Much Love, Cynthia Nilson
Easy to know the man he was by looking at his beautiful family. Many fond memories of Kenny and Cha-Cha and our times shared together so many years ago. Hope your family finds peace and comfort in your memories…our prayers are with you.
Sorry to hear was a great person and will miss his humor RIP ChaCha
Dear Elvie & Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy for the passing of sweet Cecil. We will always count a privilege to have to have met Cecil and you at the Wellness Center. We are praying God will quickly mend all your broken hearts. Until that time comes May you all be blessed by His peace and grace.
In HIS liove and ours,
Gail & Judy Ginger
Belleair, Florida