Abel "Pelay" Lopes, 90, of Beaumont, Texas, passed on Friday April 4, 2014.
He was born to the late Apolinario "Pelay" and Maria Lopes on January 4, 1924 in New Bedford, Mass. He married Lena Monteiro Lopes on March 5, 1949, and they lived together in New Bedford before relocating to Mexico and then to Beaumont.
Abel was employed with the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket Steamship Authority until his retirement in 1989. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II.
He is survived by his wife Lena; his sisters, Anna Lopes of New York and Adeline Williams of Providence, RI; his brother, Joseph Lopes of California; and his children, Jacqueline Lopes of Florida, Elaine Lopes of California, Robert and Joann Lopes of New Bedford, Lynn and Earvin Jenkins of Texas, and Barbara Lopes Robinson of New Bedford. He is also survived by ten grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Anita Lopes.
His visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 2-5 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by a funeral service at 5 PM. A private family burial service will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Odyssey Hospice, 550 Fannin St., Beaumont, TX 77701. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.