Bernard A. Lopez

With a heavy heart, I share the passing of my beloved father, Bernard Lopez, who left us on July 14, 2024. Born in 1951 and raised in the Bronx, Dad's life was a testament to dedication, love, and the profound impact one person can have on their community. Dad's journey as an educator began with the inspiration he drew from his high school teachers. He devoted his life to teaching Spanish and Italian at Monsignor Farrell High School, McKee High School, and Taft High School. His passion for education extended beyond the classroom; in the evenings, he dedicated his time to helping first-generation adults in Staten Island earn their GEDs, offering them a chance for a brighter future. His commitment to education and his community saw him rise through the ranks to become a school administrator, eventually overseeing over 150 schools in Queens as a district administrator. His leadership and vision were instrumental in shaping the educational landscape for countless students and teachers. Dad's contributions to education were not confined to local schools. For over 15 years, he served as the president of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP), championing the importance of language education and cultural understanding on a national level. Despite his many professional accomplishments, Dad's greatest joy was his family. He met the love of his life, my mother Silvia, when they were just 10 years old and reconnected 10 years later. They celebrated 50 beautiful years of marriage recently. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. In 1976, Dad moved our family to Staten Island, where he continued to shape the lives of those around him, both as an educator and a neighbor. He was a loving father to me, Bernard Lopez, and a proud grandfather to my daughters, Anarose and Holly. His wisdom, kindness, and unwavering support will be dearly missed by us all. Bernard leaves behind his wife of 50 years Silvia, son Bernard Lopez (spouse Jennifer), granddaughters Anarose and Holly. Brother in law Jose Aguirre (Silvia) and loving nieces and nephews Cynthia (Mark), Lilliana (Carlos), Louis (Leida),and Eva. His legacy of love, education, and community service will continue to inspire all who knew him. Rest in peace, Dad. Your life was a blessing, and your memory will be cherished forever. With all our love. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024 at St. Clare Church located at 110 Nelson Ave Staten Island, New York 10308. Interment to follow at St. Gertrude's Cemetery in Colonia,New Jersey. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd, Staten Island, New York.

Bernard A. Lopez

August 20, 1951 - July 14, 2024