Marcial Felipe Lopez

Marcial Felipe Lopez was born May 11, 1945 in Hagonoy, Bulacan, Philippines; the 2nd of 11 children and the oldest son of Jose Guevarra Lopez and Florencia Calalang Felipe. In 1967, Marcial enlisted in the United States Navy in the Philippines, through which he moved to the United States. He completed his basic training (boot camp) in San Diego, California, and then transferred to his first duty station in Pax River, Maryland. While in boot camp, a fellow serviceman introduced Marcial to a female friend from high school (Catherine Sophia Gleeson), whom the mutual friend asked to be pen pals with Marcial to help him learn English. After four years of building a relationship through writing, Marcial and Catherine (“Katie”) met each other in Montreal, Canada; they married November 6, 1971 in Duluth, Minnesota.

Marcial retired May 1991 after serving 24 years of decorated service in the United States Navy; he retired at the rank of Senior Chief and served in the role of Disbursing Clerk (DKCS). Through his years of service, Marcial was stationed in: Pax River, Maryland; Jacksonville, Florida (Cecil Field, Naval Station Mayport, and Naval Air Station Jacksonville); Long Beach, California; Centerville, California; and Pensacola, Florida. Marcial is grateful for his military service, which afforded him the opportunity to pursue the American Dream and provide for his family. He pioneered the Lopez family trek to the United States, which included his father, mother, and nine of his 10 brothers and sisters. In the interest of preserving his story for future Lopez generations, his niece and goddaughter, Agnes Lopez, interviewed Marcial as part of the 2018 StoryCorps collection, and the interview is archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress: https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/mby018135/.

After retiring from the United States Navy, Marcial worked in building and grounds maintenance roles at The Cathedral Residences and at St. Marks Episcopal Church and Day School. Marcial, who also went by “Mar” and “Marc,” was an avid fisherman and spent many days fishing from the “flat rock” at the Naval Station Mayport jetties. He enjoyed gardening and growing tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, as well as feeding and caring for his backyard chickens. He was a handyman who was a master of repairing anything, as well as building various home and garden projects.

Marcial is survived by his wife, Katie, of 48 years; his daughter, Anna Lopez Brosche (husband, Dave; grandchildren Dillon Brosche, Kaden Kovach, and Rohan Brosche); and his son, Anthony Marcial Lopez (wife, Regina; grandchildren Justin Dugger (Bethanie), Jonathan Dugger (Tianna), and Gaven Marcial Lopez). Marcial is also survived by his 10 brothers and sisters, their spouses, children, and grandchildren.

Marcial requested that there be no service so in lieu of a service or flowers, please leave words of respect, comfort and condolences for the family on our online guest register at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com and donations be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care or the American Cancer Society.

Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205 is serving the family.