Peter F. Lopez's Obituary
Peter Lopez, referred to lovingly by some as “The Godfather”, by others as “The Governor”, “Pops” by his stepsons, and by his 5 generations of grandchildren, which is seldom reached by many, as “Poppy”, was born in 1927 in Brooklyn, New York. His father immigrated to Ellis Island in New York from Palermo Sicily aboard the Calabria in September 1907 at the age of 12. Peter was the oldest son of 4 children born to César and Frances Lopez.
On May 21, 1945, while working as a butcher in the family business, Peter joined the U.S. Navy, with hopes of traveling around the world. While being stationed in Guam during WWII his father became ill and Peter had to leave the Navy short of fulfilling this dream and go back to the family butcher business. In addition to working as a butcher, in 1969 Peter went to work with the City of New York Sanitation Department, and continued with them until he sustained an injury and had to retire at the age of 56.
In 1983 Peter and his wife moved to Florida and settled in St. Petersburg. In 1993 his wife suddenly passed away following heart surgery.
Peter remained at Paradise Shores where he served as a building director and on the Board of Directors until the time of his death. He was also extremely active with the Social Committee for the same period of time. He supervised the maintenance crew and their duties on the property; served on the Finance committee, Legal Affairs committee, Specifications committee, and Ways & Means Committee. Peter did the shopping, sale of tickets, and cooked for the numerous dinner/dances held throughout the year and was always available to help with whatever needed to be done. He was very proud to call Paradise Shoes his home.
Peter served as President of the Bowling League up until the time of his death and continued to bowl until he could no longer. He served as co-captain of the Shuffleboard Team until Covid caused the league to fold. He enjoyed playing cards and calling Bingo but most of all he enjoyed dancing. He had the reputation for making the best homemade Italian Sausage that anyone had ever eaten.
Peter was a life member (39 years) of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks with his membership at Largo Lodge # 2159 beginning in the original building on East Bay Drive. In 2011 Peter met his beloved Sonja on the dance floor at Largo Lodge 2159. There was an immediate connection and in July 2013, after being single for 20 years, Peter and Sonja were married at the Botanical Gardens in Largo in the presence of family and friends. Peter and Sonja could be found every Tuesday and Friday night in the lodge going from table to table giving hugs and kisses to their many friends; greeting new members and visitors; and dancing the night away. Peter loved his country and was very patriotic and enjoyed greeting and thanking the Veterans that came into the Lodge from the VA each month. He served as Tiler, Trustee, a member of the House Committee, a member of the entertainment committee, and a member of the Veteran’s Committee. As Sonja continued to serve and rise in the Elks, Peter was always by her side to give his love and support. He was honored to traveled with the Elks and 86 others to Hawaii for the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor and traveled with the Parade of Heroes to Washington DC to speak at the laying of the wreath of the WWII Memorial. In 2022 Sonja became the Vice-President of the West Central District and Peter was referred to as “the First Gentlemen”, which always made him smile.
He will be forever missed by his loving and devoted wife, grandchildren, stepsons, Elks family, Paradise Shores family, and many others.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations to be made to Florida State Elks Harry-Anna trust fund or The Army of Hope.
https://web.charityengine.net/floridaelks-donate
https://floridaelks.org/images/stories/FSEA/pdf/AOH_Donation_Form.pdf
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