Daniel Lopez-Gago
The Provider

Life is nothing but two dates and a dash, It's what you do with that dash is important! The first date on your tombstone is the day you were born, the second is the day you die. These two dates don't really matter, what matters is the dash. The dash represents the life you lived. What you did, how you did it, and who was in your life, and how you lived your life. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in a moment of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."


Good evening and thank you all for coming to honor and celebrate the DASH of life for Daniel Lopez-Gago. Most of us know him as PoPo, PaPa, the Godfather, and most importantly Dad. But in reality, and if you think about it, Daniel should be known as the THE PROVIDER.
As you look around and see the snapshots of memories of Daniel's life, you see that he actually did live a full and happy life. His life was a journey that he never knew where it would take him. From a young boy in Havana, Cuba to the Patriarch of the Lopez family today, his journey was full. A humble man who lived on the value of A true and honorable man should be a good provider
Daniel came to the United States at the age of 22, in 1959. At a time when there was turmoil in his home country during the Cuban Revolution. An armed revolt conducted by Fidel Castro's revolutionary 26th of July Movement (M-26-7) which eventually formed along communist lines. Many Cubans at the time knew there was need for change in their country, things were about to change and not for the good. So began the exodus for the United States. Not to mention the actions happening in 1961 and 1962. 
We are not here for a history lesson, but this helps explain the motivation Daniel had to better himself and his family that remained in Cuba during those uncertain times. The burden was on his shoulders at such a young age. What are the concerns of 22 year olds today; my Iphone broke, this college professor sucks, what club are we going to Saturday night. You see, Daniel was a visionary at his young age and realized there were better opportunities here in this great country, the United States of America. He didn't know if he would ever see his family again. 
So begins the next chapter of Daniel's life. One of the fastest ways to citizenship was serve in one of the branches of the American Armed Forces but this was not for the faint of heart. It required a level of commitment for a certain period of time. Again, another outstanding quality demonstrated by Daniel. He entered into the Army as a combat medic in the early 60's without knowing how deep America would be involved in Vietnam. He was not drafted, he VOLUNTEERED for service. He wanted to be a part of something bigger. So began his military career. Daniel returned from Vietnam in 1966 and decided to leave the service. He did not talk much about his experiences. 
I have witnessed first-hand over the past 30 years how Daniel lived by the 3-P's of Manhood, Protect, Procreate, and Provide Protect is something we men just do, it's a natural instinct. Of course there is the necessity to Procreate, not only that it's fun. But for me the quality that stands out the most is PROVIDE. I know with all the politico rhetoric and stances towards equality, I believe MEN are still truly concerned about the desire to be MANLY. So what does it mean to be a PROVIDER: The provider is one who contributes the lion's share of sustenance to one's family, usually more so than the spouse? A provider exhibits resourcefulness, cleverness, the ability to maneuver around obstacles whatever they may be and come up with creative solutions to problems, they also have the ability to turn scarce resources into something of value. The provider becomes self-reliant. Dependency is seen as shameful in a man, because he cannot be fully autonomous and provide for others if he is dependent on his childhood family for care. It is seen as especially important to become independent of one's mother. The provider is also the one being generous with your communitya man who does well for himself is expected to give back! For all of you who know Daniel, this explanation of what a provider is every ounce of what Daniel was. THE PROVIDER!
You really have to think how Daniel became a part of this family and the legacy he now leaves behind. It was the late 60's by now, Daniel had just returned from Vietnam and worked various jobs around San Antonio. Now Daniel is in his thirties and realizes it probably a good time to settle down. Along came Sylvia, he was smitten by her great looks and commanding charm. There was something there for Daniel to commit the rest of his life to La Reina. You have got to think about the time and expressive culture going on in the US during the late 60's early 70's. Whatever the forces of nature brought them together, this was going to be his turning moment for the rest of his life, to take Sylvia as his one and only bride. In that moment Daniel became an instant father and devoted husband. 
It wasn't shortly after they were married, Sylvia and Daniel thought it would be best if he reentered back into the Army. It was 1970 and they were headed off to Germany. Just ask any of the kids, Germany is some of the fondest memories they have. Not much money was to be had, the Army pay was well below normal median income. You wouldn't know it from the pictures you see around this room.
Together he and Sylvia made many sacrifices together at the onset of their marriage. They toured Europe like first class millionaires who ate sandwiches from picnic baskets instead of fancy restaurants. If only that yellow and white VW bus could talk. But still though, there was something missing. 
In 1972, Daniel and Sylvia were blessed with their Angel of Joy, Danny. It had to be one of his proudest accomplishments in Daniels life, a son to call his own. He was so, proud I can remember Blanca saying he would show people an innocent naked picture to people, See, that's my boy, a boy! The home now was full and complete and ready for what lies ahead. 
Next stop was back to San Antonio for some more training and a quick assignment to Ft. Polk, Louisiana. Military school would bring the family back to San Antonio during the mid-70's and Nimitz Apartments. Daniel's follow on assignment was to Ft. Lewis, Washington for the next 5 years. More great memories were made in Ft. Lewis. Probably more than a dozen trips back and forth to San Antonio. Travel trips along the Pacific Coast Highway and all the states between Washington and Texas. Daniel and the family would make the 2500 mile trip most of the time without stopping. But, at Ft. Lewis, Daniel was back in his element with fishing and crabbing in the Pugent Sound. Trips to Mt. Rainer, camping, just all the normal thriving family outings. Those were some of the best of times were had during their time in Washington State. 
It's about the time of 1980. Daniel never forgot about his family in Cuba. It was the Mariel Boatlift as a mass emigration from Cuba to the United States. This was a very short window of opportunity for Daniel's family to be reunited here in the States. The PROVIDER Daniel dropped everything and quickly responded. With the entire family support all the way from San Antonio, Daniel and Sylvia were able to locate his family members and bring them to San Antonio. From what I understand, there was a pretty full house on 438 TULANE! I believe the count was 12 family but a total of 19 people were living in the house for a month. Mother, brother, all his sisters, nieces and nephew. Everyday was party on the front stoop. I don't know how they did it! 
Daniel's military tour of duty was coming to close. He had a quick person translator deployment to Honduras, and finally retired from Ft. Sam Houston in 1984. Daniel knew there was a continued need to PROVIDE. Children were getting older and starting lives of their own, Grandkids where sprouting up left and right. Daniel began his long tenure with the U.S Postal Service. Most of his routes were walking routes which kept him active and fit. 
Daniel had the skills of a craftsman like no other. Whatever he built, repaired, or maintained, it was all in his head. I don't ever believe there were instructions or drawn up plans for his projects. At the TimberCreek house, he built the entire back deck around the pool with a stubby pencil and scratch piece of paper as his guide. He would pull engines and transmissions to rebuild himself. Rearrange floor plans and tackle any electrical install without burning down the house. He even built a two story addition to a 100 year old house, all without the use of detailed plans. There was never a task he could not accomplish. You really have to appreciate all that he has done to PROVIDE for this family. 
Daniel continued to PROVIDE well into his retirement as Danny and Tina gave him his Granddaughters; Maiah and Danna. Those same feelings Daniel had when Danny was born, were renewed with their birth. Daniel retired from Postal Service and was looking forward to a typical retirement. Unfortunately, his health had other plans. His final few years where met with sorrow as the passing of his beloved wife, Syliva in 2010. 
Would like to recognize Daniel's life long friend, Manolo Gonzalez and his family. Daniel is the Godfather to Manolo's son, Jesse, Thank you Manolo for your everlasting friendship to Daniel. 
During Daniel's final days, he was surrounded by those who loved him the most. Tina, Maiah, Danna, Thank you for you have done. The many personal sacrifices you had to make as you sat hours along his bedside. 
So as I begin to close out the remarks for this evening
Let's take moment and reflect why we are here. We are here to honor the life of Daniel Lopez of which we have. It is hard to sum up someone's life of 80 years memories into what little time we have here tonight. So, I want you to ask yourself, how many times in your life have you held back from saying something you should have or wanted to? Is there someone that you loved but never told? Someone who did something amazing for you but never thanked? Or maybe someone you hurt but never apologized to? What stopped you from saying those words?
Sometimes the seemingly easy statements are the hardest to say. Simple I-love-you's, or thank-you's, or I'm-sorry's end up being left unsaid to the people who deserve to hear it the most. Maybe it slipped your mind, or maybe it didn't feel like the right time, or maybe you were simply scared to let go of such strong statements because you weren't sure how the person on the other end would react. Well let me ask you this, what do you have to lose?
What if the person is waiting to hear those words? What if they've been on the brinks of leaving you because you fail to express how it is you're feeling? What if they just don't know how you feel? Don't ever assume that your feelings are always evident or implied through your actions because, let me tell you, it's not always that obvious.
Life's too short and life goes by quickly. One moment you're entering your 20s with a realm of possibilities and the next, you're at the end of your 30s and it seems like everything just happened in an instant. Flash forward and you now in your 60's or older. If you hold back or wait too long to say what's in your heart, the words and feelings might lose its value and depreciate over time. How you feel may no longer have as much of an impact on the person as it would've if you just spoke up sooner. Yes, sometimes it's good to wait for the perfect timing and not to rush things, but sometimes we need to make our own perfect timing and take initiative, especially when it comes to genuine feelings or emotions that we may have.
If you know how you feel, and you're sure of those feelings, say it. Tell the person. Avoid any confusion. Say you're sorry. Say thank you. Tell the person you love that you love them. Be upfront and straight up. Don't let another moment pass you by because one moment can turn into two, and two can turn into a lifetime, and one day you might just wake up and realize that along with those lost moments, you also lost the person you cared about the most.
Daniel, I know you are finally at peace and are watching over your family with a grin from ear to ear. You have your cigarettes, endless supply of Chicken Cordon Blue, and Cokes. You are dancing on both feet wiggling your hips with your loving bride, Sylvia. We know you are here in our hearts, your presence is felt at every unusual sound, unexplained phenomenons, and visits from Cardinals.

Daniel and Family, I want to thank you again in this format for always treating my family as yours. Thank you for being a friend to me, and we will all miss you forever! God bless you. I hope they're cigars in Heaven!

Papa you will be missed. Thank you for always treating kyleigh and myself as we were blood. Love you rest in peace.

OBITUARY

Daniel Lopez-Gago

July 21, 1937 – January 27, 2018

Funeraria del Angel Roy Akers

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