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Salvatore Lopes Obituary
Salvatore P. Lopes retired from the New York Police Department after he fell off a roof while trying to help someone down, and hurt his back.
So he started working as a travel agent, getting a thrill out of finagling hotel and airline upgrades for friendly customers. "Everybody was going on vacation, everybody was in a good mood," said his wife, Lorraine.
Mr. Lopes, 40, had long thought he might like to work on Wall Street, so when he found a job as a travel consultant for Sandler O'Neill & Partners, it was the perfect fit. "That was the best of both worlds for him," Mrs. Lopes said. "To be doing a job that he liked, but to be surrounded by people who were doing a job he thought he might have liked."
Back home in Franklin Square, on Long Island, Mr. Lopes was the softball and basketball coach for his daughters, Alexandra, 11, and Nicole, 8. "He had a huge heart," said Leane Romeo, a family friend. "He'd talk to you like he knew you forever."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Anna Keast
September 11, 2023
22 years have passed but you will be forgotten
Thinking of you Sal
Anna Keast
September 11, 2023
22 years gone but never forgotten
September 11, 2020
Rest in peace Sal. We will never forget.
Wendy Hecht
September 10, 2019
RIP Sal...You will be in everyones thoughts and prayers!
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Louis Pitre
November 19, 2018
Every time I think of the old neighborhood in Astoria I think of you Sal. The great times we had as kids. When I tell my wife about the good times we had as kids I get in my eyes. Hanging out on the porch, playing stickball in the backyard or playing in POPS. Your greatly missed. RIP,
Louis
The Lucas Family
November 17, 2018
Our sincere condolences we send to your family for your loss. With each new day may God continue to give the strength needed to cope. Sal will always be missed.
Natanael "nate" Santos
September 15, 2015
To the Lopes Family, may GOD Strengthen you everyday for the loss of Great Man & Friend. I also had teh honor of working closely with Sal in AAA Warehouse in Garden City Long Island. Tremendous sense of humor and was always positive. Forever in our Hearts. He booked my Honey moon in '97 as a TA and then said I was nuts for getting married-LOL. Gone but NEVER forgotten! lOVE YOU BRO!
Carol Jenkins
September 12, 2015
S.I.P my friend. We worked at AAA Kellum Pl and were born 10days apart. That was my brother from another mother
Tiffany Serviss
September 11, 2015
Each year on this day, I remember the horrific tragedy that took the life of this amazing man, father and husband. To Sal's wife and daughters, you will always remain in my thoughts and prayers. I truly enjoyed my working days with Sal at VTS Travel in the city, as he was always such an upbeat, funny, full-of-life man.
May your hearts be filled with love and fond memories on this day and each day to come!
Tiffany Serviss - VTS Travel Colleague
Charlie Corr
September 11, 2014
Thinking of you Sal!
Joseph Scopazzi
September 11, 2014
I graduated St. Joseph's in Astoria in 1975 with Sal, he was great guy with a great sense of humor, he did the best Don Vito Corleone impersonation I have ever heard, it still cracks me thinking about it. He always had time to listen and laugh with people. A few years ago I was watching the names of the 9/11 casualties being announced, suddenly I heard Nicole Lopes talking about her father Sal. I could immediately see the family resemblance, it made me sad to know know Sal died on 9.11, but he is in heaven smiling on all of us who knew him.
RIP man.
Joseph Scopazzi Class of 1975, St Joseph's in Astoria
Louis Pitre
September 11, 2014
My childhood friend you are greatly missed, gone but not forgotten RIP
S J. Friscia III
May 18, 2014
In Memory
With Honor & Respect.
Joe Ferrante
March 17, 2014
I was far more than a pleasure to have known Sal while we worked together at AAA in New York. I cannot hear a reference to the World Trade Center, old and new, without thinking of Sal. It's been a long time since that awful day but the memories of his infectious personality will last. Miss you "cousin-buddy" - his term for everyone he knew.
Missy G
September 13, 2013
Thinking of Sal & remembering how very much he'd make us all smile & laugh when we worked with him at AAA. Missing a dear friend & true family man.
Louis Pitre
September 11, 2013
To my friend Sal you will never be forgotten. I remember all our childhood memories and how you made us laugh with your crazy humor. Rest in Peace
September 11, 2013
You will never be forgotten, remembering you today and always! God Bless your Family!
anna russell
September 11, 2012
Thinking of you today Sal xxxx
Carrie Fallstrom
September 11, 2011
Thinking of Sal today and remembering what a great man he was. He was a good friend to me and I enjoyed our time working together at AAA. What I remember most is his devotion to his wife and daughters. He is missed.
Karen
September 11, 2011
You will never be forgotten!! May your family be blessed with their loving memories of you!
Ginny Ricci
September 11, 2011
Lorraine,
We've never met, but my son, Nick Ricci worked with Sal. He thought fondly of him.
I know nothing can heal the hole in your hearts left by his loss, but please know that you and your children will remain in my prayers.
I pray God will hold you close, and bring you comfort until your hearts can smile again.
With Love,
Ike
September 11, 2011
You are not forgotten. Your friend.
Fabrizio Buttafuoco
September 11, 2011
America remembers its victims but I never forget my cousin Salvatore for his sympathy, his humor and brotherly affection which I gave. You have been a great and you have gone from great.
Fabrizio Your cousin from Sicily.
Fabrizio Buttafuoco
September 11, 2011
America remembers its victims but I never forget my cousin Salvatore for his sympathy, his humor and brotherly affection which I gave. You have been a great and you have gone from great.
Fabrizio Your cousin from Sicily.
Fabrizio Buttafuoco
September 11, 2011
America remembers its victims but I never forget my cousin Salvatore for his sympathy, his humor and brotherly affection which I gave. You have been a great and you have gone from great.
Fabrizio Your cousin from Sicily.
Jim Stravinskas
September 11, 2011
I went to High School with Sal. We played on the JV baseball team together. Sal was the team jokester and would always be getting under the coach's skin. His sense of humer was one of his best attributes. After not seeing him for almost 20 years we ended up coaching together for our daughter's softball team. It was one of the most memorable seasons thanks to Sal. You were a true free spirtit, Sal. May you live in peace and comfort and know that you touched many lives. God Bless your family.
Tiffany Serviss
September 11, 2011
Sal, you will remain in my thoughts and your wife and daughters in my prayers. I enjoyed working with you during your time at VTS! You are missed on a daily basis.
Ellen Robinson
September 8, 2011
Sal: thinking of you on this 10th anniversary. I am very proud to have had you as a friend. You will always be in the hearts of your friends at AAA Travel.
Stacey Leonhardt
September 7, 2011
The world is not the same since you have been gone. My heart goes out to your beautiful family.
anna Russell
September 7, 2011
Thinking of you and your family, 10 years later. Never far from my heart.
From AAA Kellum Place..... good times!
Sharon O'Gallagher-Galvin
August 8, 2011
I cannot believe that it is going to be 10 yrs. I remember the day like yesterday, but I remember most vivid the day I got the news that you worked there. Till this day, I still feel that sicking pain of sorrow when I think about what a loss it is. I have such incredible memories of our friendship as we worked so closely together in the NYPD. Working together, all the laughs that came with the good times, racketball and club meetings. I recall listening in awe as you would rehash all the wonderful things you did with your wife and friends. The best was realizing after a while that we attended the same catholic school in Astoria and that you knew my older brother. I never got to meet your daughters, but I am sure they have so many of your wonderful traits and your love of life. I can only smile through tears as I warmly recall the great times we shared. Rest in peace, Brother!
Derek Beans
September 12, 2010
To the Family : 9/11/2010 I am a member of a car club for Mustangs called Stangs of South Florida .com . We have been doing a tribute run for the fallen . I wanted to let you know that I had the pleasure of Sal riding along with me this year. We left from FtLauderdale FL and went to Islandmoada FL about 100 miles . Every car had a Fallen Rider with them . We had a great day and even won a Award for best car in my class. I would love to send you a Flag that was flown on my car for the event . I was moved by this event enough to find out who Sal was . Reading all the comments today , I was moved by the kind words and how wonderul he is . He will never be forgotten . My prayers to your family .If you would contact me I will send the Flag to you . [email protected]
July 30, 2010
Sal,
Happy Birthday!
S R
August 6, 2009
Sal,
Miss you and think of you often.
Doug Abraham
July 30, 2009
Happy Birthday!!!
Antoinette
July 28, 2009
Sal,you would of been 48 years old on Thrusday so let me say HAPPY BIRTHDAY little brother. A day doesn't go by that I don't think of you and so today especially I have to say I love and miss you!
Lynda Beach
September 11, 2007
Dear Sal,
You will always remain in our hearts. How proud you would of Nicole and Alexandra. They are beautiful, smart, funny and loving ... and, very much loved. In them, you will always live on.
Love,
Lynda & Charlie
Michael Maloy
September 11, 2007
Forever missed. I still think about you all the time.
nicole lopes
September 11, 2007
i miss & love you daddyyy.
6 yearss wayy to longgg <3
Doug Abraham
July 30, 2007
Happy Birthday!!!
niki lopes
April 4, 2007
well i was just going through photo albums and saw a bunch of just me and you -- and im guessing me and you always had a lot of fun together -- i barly remember anything and it drives me insane because much as i try to think about the times they just never come to mind -- i remember how you put a smile on my face with your funny jokes or even if you were being serious youd make me laugh sometimes -- i seriously miss you more than ever daddy and i thought of you gone kills me inside and it has since the day you were gone.
love you daddy ( your little girl )
Niki Lopes
January 4, 2007
Just finding out how to make one of these things for you i decided to . I was either 7 or 8 when you were gone and i never really got to know you . I remember some of those amazing times but others i just seem not to notice anymore like ali can. You come up in conversation everywhere. Whether im at nunis , the sheas or just sitting at home everyone seems to mention you. You were a big part of everyones life . I always remember those softball games you never got to be my basketball coach but just seeing alis i new you were great and so into the game . You brought joy and smiles to everyones faces with just having one on yours. Me and Ali Shea had just been talking about the time we went to montauk and you road your first and only horse Stormy . That was the only vacation i could actually remember i took with you. I love you soo much daddy. Your always on my mind no matter what
- Love you
Niki
ali shea
January 4, 2007
ahh sal im miss you soooo much .. you were like a 2nd dad to me you have no idea .. that vacation in montauk was so muc fun and i miss it i remember when you fell behnde and had to ride stormy all the way bach up to us. also that you so much for getting me into softball you were my first and best and favorite coach .. number 5 :-D
i will love and miss you forever
p.s like my mom said .. you did get me into the rangers
P Tabbernor
December 12, 2006
In memory....
Kristine
November 14, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Rosemary Gille-Crescenzo
September 11, 2006
I would like to extend my belated and deepest sympathy to Sal's family. I went to St. Joseph's in Astoria with Sal and lived a block away from him. He was a great guy, always smiling, and making us laugh all the time. He was so outgoing and liked by everyone. Someone I know I'll never forget.
Class of 75
Tracy Melleby
September 11, 2003
I worked with Sal at AAA Travel.He always seemed to have a smile on his face, and was always one to make you laugh.Sal always talked about the beautful wife he had "Lorraine" and his two beautiful daughters,"Ali" and "Nikki".I think about him often, and know that all the people in his life, he is now there gaurdian angel.Sal had such a way about him, compassionate,kind,funny,and a loyal friend.It's hard to believe it's 2 yrs today,but your memory will live on FOREVER. My prayers to Lorraine, Ali and ,Nikki, his family and friends.Sal you will always be a "HERO" in all of our eyes, and Never be forgot.
Marijo Leger
November 6, 2002
I haven't been close to my uncle in a very long time; but there was a time when he was the center of my world. When I think back on him I remember he was like Superman to me. He was the strongest, the biggest and the best. I remember him throwing me in the air and back and forth with my cousin Vinnie in the pool. They were the funniest, greatest "big brothers" a girl could have. I know they are together, with my Uncle Sonny and Grandma Mary, and that is the only thing that gives me any peace.
rose
October 9, 2002
Dear Lopes Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I didn't know Sal very well. I attended high school with him. I remember that he was very spirited and loved by all even then. May God Bless him and all his family through all the tough times.
high school classmate
Vicki Scher
October 8, 2002
I knew Sal for a year and a half, beginning when I came to work at AAA in Garden City, NY in July 1999. Sal was larger than life to me - such a presence in the office! I will always remember how he joked with everyone - with Al and Bob and John and all the managers and all the rest of us. He had such a great sense of humor -he made me laugh all the time. Sal left AAA before I did; as fate would have it, I ended up at VTS Travel, too. I asked Bob Soevyn at AAA how everyone at VTS was faring when I was looking for a job; he mentioned a few other names, but not Sal's. I didn't know - that was the first I heard of Sal's death. To this day I cannot think of Sal without crying. What a loss for this warm, funny, larger-than-life man to be taken from us. I don't think it will ever seem real to me that he is gone. My memories of him are of so much life. My heart and prayers go out to his family, that their wonderful memories may sustain them.
Peggy Soeyfet-Rhoden
September 22, 2002
Sal, our lives could not have been more parallel. We knew each other since you were born. I hadn't seen you in years, but kept up with you, your brother and sister through Nancy. I will never forget you and hope God holds you in his arms as he does the rest of your family. Give your mom a hug for me.
J b
September 12, 2002
I cannot believe its been a year my
friend. I miss you everyday and will forever.
Al ( Stevenson
September 12, 2002
We think of you often Sal, always with a smile.
We just wanted to say "hello".
Lorraine, Ali & Niki...our prayers are with you always.
Angela Difazio
September 11, 2002
I never new cousin Sal that well, but my family speaks of him with the fondest of memories. I do know that he was a great man and is up in heaven with my Uncle Vin. God bless him and all the lives lost on that tragic day. You will never be forgotten...
grace difazio brennan
September 11, 2002
Sal Lopes was a good man who loved his three girls, his wife lorraine, and his two daughters ali and nikki. He was a gift to our family, his laugh, his smile and his incredible sense of humor.
The only peace I have regarding 9/11/01 is that Sal grabbed hold of Vinnie's hand and walked through the pearly gates together. No family has ever been blessed with two such large personalities. There will forever be a void on this earth where they once were.
I was blessed to have you as my cousin. Love, Gigi (choppers)
Patricia Luger
September 10, 2002
Dear Mrs. Lopes, Alexandra, and Nicole,
I'm sorry for your loss. I know it can't be easy for you, but you are constantly in my thoughs and prayers. When I pray for my friend Keith who was also lost last September, I think of you too. My cousin is a friend of Nicole's, and that is how I found out about your husband/father. Try to stay strong around this time of year, and remember, there are lots of people thinking of you.
God Bless You
A Friend
September 10, 2002
I can not believe it has been that
long.It feels like yesterday.
I miss you still and always will.
The office will never be the same
without you.
Charles DeVito
September 7, 2002
I grew up in Astoria,Queens and lived around the corner from Sal's house. We graduated together from St. Joseph’s elementary school in 1975. I can tell you with certainty that everybody knew him and everybody loved him.
Teri Crowe
August 15, 2002
I worked with Sal at VTS travel also through the accounting part of Sandler O'Neil. We all want to let his family know that they are in our thoughts and prayers.
John Raynor
August 15, 2002
I am from VTS travel and worked with Sal on the accounting side of his travel for Sandler O'Neil. He was a great guy and easy to get along with. He is greatly missed.
MaryLou Maloy
July 30, 2002
There is a quiet void at parties that was once filled with Sal’s robust voice. I still hear his laugh echo in my ears when something funny happens. I am glad we were able to celebrate Sal’s 40th birthday with him last year.
Sal is very missed but will never be forgotten. He lives in our hearts.
Lynda Beach
July 30, 2002
Sal would have celebrated his 41st birthday today. He's missed every day more than words can say. Today, especially, it hurts all that much more to know that he was taken away from us all too soon.
He would be so proud to see Lorraine's strength. She never misses a beat in caring for their beautiful girls, Alexandra & Nicole, their home, and continuing to insure the plans they made for their family. Ali & Niki are a testament to his life ... they have his sense of humor, his love of baseball & "their team", the Yankees. The love they shared is so evident in everything they are and how they remember their Dad.
Your spirit will live on forever.
Michael Maloy
July 30, 2002
I have such wonder memories of Sal. I have met a lot of people but I have never met anyone as devoted, sincere, loving and of course funny as Sal. Since the first time I met Sal with MaryLou in his backyard he accepted me with Brian as a part of the family. I knew Sal was an incredible person because his beautiful daughters are a reflection of him and Lorraine. Please rest assured that myself. MaryLou, Megan, Brian and everyone in the family will do our best to help Lorraine and the girls. It was an honor know Sal and to be able to spend time with him. He will never be forgotten.
j winston
May 14, 2002
sal was a great guy !
he will be missed.i pray that the lord bless his family forever......
Anonymous
February 26, 2002
DER GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL MAN SALVATORE LOPES AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK AND MAY WE NEVER FORGET 9/11/01.MAY GOD AND ALL HIS ANGELS GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Genice Ruiz
January 16, 2002
I am sure you are a Rose in Heaven. Our prayers are with your family.
LAURA SHEA
January 15, 2002
MY FAMILY IS SO LUCKY TO HAVE SAL AND LORRAINE AND THEIR GIRLS IN OUR LIVES. WE HAVE SO MANY GREAT MEMORIES TOGETHER. SAL INSTILLED A SENSE OF HUMOR IN OUR GIRLS, WHICH WILL HELP THEM GROW UP TO BE WONDERFUL YOUNG LADIES.
I THINK OF SAL EVERYDAY, AND MISS HIM SO MUCH.
IN SAL'S MEMORY, MY ALI IS A RANGER FAN NOW!!
Deborah Moyano Shea
January 14, 2002
I am grateful for the eight years that I knew Sal Lopes, he truly enriched my life. Sal's warmth, kindness and sense of humor were incredibly uplifting. I could sit and talk with him for hours.
On several occasions during the last two years, Sal's kindness, warmth and laughter helped to ease some very difficult times for me. One of my fondest memories with Sal is my birthday in 2000. That Saturday began as a very difficult day due to the turmoil in my deteriorating marriage. I meet the Lopes and Shea families in Montauk to celebrate my birthday without any of my immediate family members. Sal made it his mission to provide me with a wonderful birthday weekend. I had many first experiences that weekend, Sal and I rode horses for the first time, and he taught me how to play poker. Sal had such a capacity to make me laugh at any situation. Thanks to the Lopes and Shea families I can honestly say I had one of the best birthdays of my life.
A true testimony to Sal's character was a remark made to me by my 23 year old daughter, Michelle. After spending a day with Sal and watching him interact with his daughters, Michelle said he was such a kind, patient and loving father that she wished he had been her father.
Sal, Lorraine, Alexandra and Nicole are family to me. It is so difficult to comprehend a world without Sal. I am overwhelmed with sadness for Lorraine's loss of a wonderful husband, Alexandra and Nicole a terrific daddy and that my family has lost a very special friend. Sal had a way of making everyone feel special and loved and for this he will never be forgotten.
Salvatore P. Lopes
MaryLou Beach-Maloy
January 13, 2002
I will always be glad to have had Sal as a brother-in-law; he was more like a big brother to me. He was there for me when my car broke down, my boxes needed a home or I just needed to laugh. I’ll always remember getting pulled over by Sal when he was a police officer. I was helping out a friend whose car had broken down and needed a ride. I ended up getting a police escort out of East New York.
I don’t know who is gonna "make" all those handmade Christmas gifts or moon nasty people disturbing us at restaurants. I am going to miss you and Megan is going to miss out on a remarkable Uncle. I am going to tell her lots of stories about you and how much fun you were. Little coolies all over town will missed being shaked. Megan is going to become a Yankee’s fan in your honor.
Sal gave me two beautiful nieces and made my sister very happy. I know Lorraine, Ali and Niki have a strong guardian angle looking over them now. Mike and I will do our best to help them from down here.
I love you man.
MaryLou Beach-Maloy
Kristine Work
January 7, 2002
I met Sal while I was in training at AAA Travel 2 years ago......He was the funniest guy you want to know with the greatest personality, always in a good mood keeping the department laughing....he also seemed to have a good and loyal clientele and even shared his prized travel books with me sometimes. I was really sorry to hear about his death at the WTC and want to send my heartfelt prayers and sympathy to his family. May Jehovah God keep you in his loving care and may you find comfort in loving memories of him.
Please take care of yourselves
Kristine Work
Lynda Beach
January 2, 2002
A Wonderful Life - Like the main character in the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life", Salvatore Lopes considered himself the luckiest man in the world. His friends often described this big man with a big personality as "larger than life". Where there was a gathering of people laughing, or dancing, you would generally find Sal somewhere near the geometric center. He was a man with a huge heart and quick humor that could make you laugh until you cried. When he greeted you, often at gatherings at his home, he made you feel as though you were the most important person in the world. Sal loved to be surrounded by people and always loved to help them. He spent 7-1/2 years as a NYC Police Officer doing just that until an injury forced a career change. He found incredible joy in his new occupation as a travel agent. It was the type of job that suited him and he found his niche when he began working as a travel consultant for VTS Travel Direct. He had been assigned to Sandler O'Neill and Partners just nine months prior to his death. At home Sal was a loving & devoted husband to Lorraine, his "best friend". He was a loving father who was proud to coach softball and basketball for his two daughters, Alexandra, 11 and Nicole, 8. If he wasn't doing something for "his girls" as he affectionately referred to his wife and daughters, you might find Sal playing golf or cheering for his favorite baseball team, the NY Yankees.
Sal, you will be missed and loved always.
j b
January 1, 2002
I will miss you forever,and all those cigarettes we never got to smoke together
Teresa Jahn
December 24, 2001
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Pauline Leger
December 17, 2001
I continue to pray that our Lord will bring comfort and peace as you seek His face, knowing He is always there, He cares for you.
"I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you" 2Kings 20:5
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