Thomas Dennis Lopes, 70, of New Bedford, died Tuesday September 11, 2012 at home. He was the husband of Maria (Rosado) Lopes.
Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Thomas A. and Catherine (Perry) Lopes. He was a graduate of New Bedford High School, Class of 1961, University of Bridgeport, Class of 1968 and did graduate work at the Sloan School at M.I.T.
Between the years 1968-1974, Tom worked for various social agencies such as Neighborhood Youth Corps of Bridgeport, and Youth Resources Agency and ONBOARD, Inc. of New Bedford. Additionally, he held the position of assistant manager with the New England Telephone Company from 1971-1974.
In 1974, Tom was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. where he served two terms.
Since 1979, he was the Publisher and General Manager of the CVN News and Business Center, and Coolywood, a multimedia company since 2011.
He was a volunteer with the Board of the Plymouth Bay Girl Scout Council, Moby Dick Scout Council, Child and Family Services, Junior Achievement, Kiwanis Club, Boy's and Girl's Club of New Bedford and the YMCA of New Bedford.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Christine R. Frazier and her husband Tony of Ashburn, VA, and Denise C. Muldrow and her husband James of Garner, NC; four sisters, Patricia Horner, Leonora Tourinho, Dolores Tavares, and Deborah Ramos, all of New Bedford; four grandchildren, Jaden and Bryce Frazier and Isaiah and Xavier Muldrow; two uncles, Daniel Perry of Bristol, CT and Edward Lopes of New Bedford; and nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was the brother of the late John R. Lopes.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 9 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 1-5 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.