Edward "Ed" Opella

Edward Joe Opella, 91, of Victoria passed away April 5, 2021 peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy and courageous fight with his declining health. Edward was born February 14, 1930 in Shiner, Texas to Ed and Albina Opella. He graduated from Shiner High School where he met the love of his life, Lillian or Lil as he called her. Ed, as he was known by many, was a man that loved working with his hands. He graduated from St. Ludmilla Academy and served in the Korean Conflict, earning a combat infantryman badge of honor as a rifleman. After the war, he came home to marry his lovely Lillian in June 1953 and build his career as a brick mason at Price Masonry & Plaster, helping build many surrounding churches, hospitals, and commercial businesses for 30 years. After retirement, he could always be found tinkering on something, mostly old lawnmowers that he loved to repair.

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Lorene Hoepfl, Evelyn Beck, and Dan Rosenauer.

Edward is survived by his beautiful wife of 68 years, Lillian and his 3 girls, Debbie Traber (Marc) of Victoria, Cindy Stevens (Doug) of Bandera, and Susan Bradley (Gary) of Angleton. Our beloved Popo leaves behind a legacy of 9 grandchildren, Kristen Tomscha (Jeremy), Laura Hueske (Roger), Jonathan Tate (Elise), Madeline Casey (Joe), Michael Traber (Meredith), Mandy Marek (Nathan), Gary Daniel Bradley (Stephenie), Wendy Stevens (Eben) and Jason Stevens and 13 great grandchildren, Trinity, Carissa, and Jared Tomscha, Mason, Paige, Kayla, and Taylor Tate, Tegan and Kellan Casey, Brooks and Landry Traber, Mallory Marek, and Lily Ruth Bradley.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 11, 2021 from 4-5:30 PM at Rosewood Funeral Chapel with a rosary to be recited at 5:30 PM.

A Funeral Mass will be Monday, April 12, 2021 at 2 PM at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory with burial to immediately follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Jonathan Tate, Michael Traber, Gary Daniel Bradley, Jason Stevens, Jeremy Tomscha, Nathan Marek, Joe Casey and Roger Hueske.

Honorary pallbearers are Marc Traber, Gary Bradley, Doug Stevens, Kenneth Price and Dr. Charles Daniel.

Memorial donations may be made to Crown Hospice or The Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory.

The family would like to extend a loving thank you to Citizen’s Medical Center, Dr. Frank Parma, Crown Hospice and numerous friends for their care and compassion.

Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.