Matthew Alexander Lopes Sr.

LOPES SR., MATTHEW (Matt) ALEXANDER
92, of East Providence died peacefully at home on Saturday, January 26, 2019. He was the loving husband of Laura (Barros) Lopes, for fifty-seven years. Matthew was born in Warwick, the son of the late William and Antonia (Rocha) Lopes. He is survived by his five children, Phyllis C. Conway (Michael), Philip C. Hazard (Julie), Matthew A. Lopes, Jr., Carol A. Gibson (Peyton) and Laurie J. Lopes. Mr. Lopes was the proud grandfather of 13 and the great-grandfather of 21. He is also survived by a devoted brother, Domingos Lopes, and many loving family members. He was predeceased by his brothers John, Manuel, Joseph, Benjamin, Antonio, Alexander Lopes, and by his sister, Anna Lopez. Matt was a graduate of Central High School and the New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science, and Embalming. He served honorably in the Army during World War II. Following his devoted service to his country, he coached a semi-professional basketball team, the Anthony Gomes Memorial Athletic Club (AGMAC). The team played in the Rhode Island Basketball Association League (RIBAL). Matt coached for ten years and only lost four games. He was well known in the basketball community. Matt worked in the transportation industry for over twenty years, before retiring. Matt truly enjoyed being with and around people. Upon retiring, he proudly worked as a doorman for the Rhode Island State Senate, and then, for nearly a decade, as a driver and customer service representative for Enterprise Rent-a-Car. He was a volunteer track and field official for Brown University and the Rhode Island Interscholastic League for twenty-five years and was also a member of the Rhode Island Track Association, for which he received several honors. He was inducted into the Fox Point Boys Club Hall of Fame in May, 1983. Matt had a special passion for sports and politics. He volunteered for many political campaigns and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the New England Patriots, especially enjoying their many respective championship seasons. Matt was a kind and warm-hearted man who quickly turned strangers into friends and touched many lives. His true and greatest joy and love was always his wife and family. His funeral will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 9:00 AM from the PERRY-McSTAY FUNERAL HOME, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in the Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 21 Traverse Street, Providence, RI. Burial with Military Honors will be at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence, RI. Visitation will be at the PERRY-McSTAY FUNERAL HOME on Friday from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Matt's memory can be made to either the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club (90 Ives Street, Providence, RI 02906) or to NE Distance Inc. (371 Wayland Avenue, Providence, RI 02906).