Rafael "Pate" Lopez

To Rafael, I had many great memories of our teen-age years together at Rolph Park.

I love and miss my Dad very much. I know he would be overjoyed with all of the kindness and support that everyone has shown. He was a huge part of me and my life. I will carry him with me forever. I hope to continue to live my life in a way that would make him proud. I also hope to keep in touch with all of the friends and family who have re-entered my life.

I thank everyone for being there for me and my family,

My uncle Rafael was the smartest person I ever had the privilege of knowing.If you had a question I can guarantee he had an answer for you. He was also one of the coolest. He taught me how to do the "Cabbage Patch" a good 10 years ago. And I am proud to say I still do it to this day.He was a wonderful person with a huge heart. For the past week all I can think about is his smile and laugh. How I wish I could witness both just one last time.

Rafael-
I just want you to know...

Rafael, you were'nt blood, but you sure are family. Your vitality lives on in my son, you great newphew, Noah Rafael Loera. We will miss you dearly and remember you always. Really, I'm going to miss that goofy smile. It crackes me up. ^_^

Dear Malea,
I never got a chance to meet you and talk with you in person at the vigil or the funeral, so I hope you somehow get to read this. It's strange how we're all connected. The day your father passed away, I was thinking of him. Something happened at Civic Center one day that was one of the funnies things I ever saw, and your father and I were working right there together when it happened. We laughed so hard together, that we were in tears. Well, the day your father left us,...

Rafael was a good co-workers and friend. He was always willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. He could be depended upon no matter the situation.

I will miss him so much. He was geniunely a nice person who helped out whenever he was called upon regardless of the task.

Dee Browning

I first met Rafael in '68-'69 during our days of "community activism". He was instramental in organizing the youth at Rolph Park
to participate in the
Mission Area Youth Council,sucessfully negotiating for youth employment with major dept stores like Sears Roebuck,White Front,USE and others in the Mission. I had the pleasure of working with him on many other community issues over the years.

He was a good man who deeply loved his community and never once forgot his roots....

Rafael,
Much love to you and your family, Brother. I was blessed to meet you and come through Moscone at the same time as you. You made a hard night's work go by quickly with all your stories, your insight, and your humor. Your automotive advice is with me forever-thanks for turning me on to all the right Cadillacs. Wherever I roll, you're rolling with me, for sure.

I worked with Rafael during the "MOET" days(CETA) when he was working for Arriba Juntos. Over the years I lost track of so many people, and it was 3 years ago that I found Rafael, through a friend(brother) Jesse Valencia. Jesse has also left us. We (Rafael & I) had a great dinner talking about old times and how proud he was of his daughter. His eyes sparkled!!! Mi hermano, I will miss you ...............SorIdee