Vincent Maurice Lopes passed away quietly in his sleep on September 15, 2016. Vince was born on July 19, 1939, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Paulette Lopes. He was raised by Paulette and his step-father Manuel Lopes, along with his half-brother Donald Lopes.
Vince’s childhood was spent in New Bedford, MA. He joined the United States Air Force in 1957. His first deployment was in Winnemucca, NV, in 1958, followed by two years in Nome, AK and Nellis AFB in Las Vegas. Following his military service, he went to work for the Philco Corporation.
Vince’s time at the Air Force Base in Winnemucca shaped the rest of his life. It was here that he met the love of his life Judith Wagner. He and Judy were married January 30, 1960 and celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary this past January. As Judy fell ill over the past several years, Vince cared for her with remarkable love and devotion.
Vince and Judy had two sons, Steve and Lance, who were both born in the Las Vegas area. Shortly after Lance’s birth, the family left Las Vegas to move to Winnemucca, where Vince went to work for his father-in-law, Frank at Wagner Warehouse. They were partners in the business until Frank retired in 1977 and the business was sold. Vince then worked at Stockmen’s Department Store for the next 13 years. In 1990, he transitioned into the insurance business and became an independent insurance agent at Valley Insurance until his retirement in 2014.
While not a native Nevadan, Vince loved everything about his small community and he became involved in many organizations over the years, including the Kiwanis Club and Knights of Columbus. Most important to him was being involved with his sons’ activities. Vince coached every Little League baseball and basketball team his sons played on, and he could often be seen delivering kids home in the back of his truck. He rarely missed his sons’ games, no matter how far he had to travel. He also was very involved in the Lowry High Booster Club, serving in many capacities, including raising funds, running the chain gang at football games and serving as the grill master at the annual Century Club barbeque. He most enjoyed his time serving his community as a volunteer fireman for 17 years from 1982 to 1999. It was here he bonded with some of his best friends in life. Vince and many of his friends not only served their community in leadership roles, but were pillars and helped provide the community with its soul.
Although born and raised in a city, Vince cherished the outdoors and camping, hunting and fishing with his sons and his friends. He enjoyed taking vacations to the Oregon Coast, as it reminded him of the ocean he grew up near. He loved to golf and had many good times with his truly unique golf swing on the course. He looked forward to hosting legendary barbeques at his house when his sons and their friends returned to Winnemucca from all over the country most every summer to play in a local golf tournament.
He and Judy enjoyed visiting Hawaii and he spent his retirement years traveling between Winnemucca, Seattle and Los Angeles to visit his boys and grandchildren, Katie, Sydney, Peter, Jennifer and Matt. He was very proud of his family and was never afraid of telling his friends or even strangers, if they would listen, about his boys and grandchildren and his beloved USC Trojans and Seattle Seahawks.
Vince had a huge heart. He would do most anything for anyone. He treated everyone he came across with kindness and generosity. He will be missed by his family, friends and community and his green Christmas lights will shine eternally. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 29, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in the East Hall of the Convention Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
