George Lopez

He was born to Placida Martinez and Franciso ‘Frank” Lopez on July 27, 1942, in Rainsville,

New Mexico. He is preceded in death by both his parents, his baby brother, his granddaughter

Francesca Renee Santa Maria, his grandparents Juan Isidro Martinez and Cleotilde Martinez of

Chacon, New Mexico, his uncles Emilio, Frank, and Nestor Martinez all of Chacon, New Mexico,

aunts Angelina Arguello of Portales, New Mexico and Juanita Cordova of Mora, New Mexico,

Cousin Eutilia (Mary) Gonzalez of Portales, New Mexico and Marcella Marquis of Roswell, New

Mexico. Also, his second wife Cynthia (Cindy) Harrell-Lopez and his long time companion Ellen

“Corky” Maracle.

He is survived by his brother Gilbert Martinez of Kentucky and niece Ramona “Mona” Estrada of

Colorado, his first wife Jacquelin Marie Lopez-Brookshire of Arizona, his children; Ronda and

her husband Jeff Langley of Arizona, Angelina and her husband Dave Blankschen of

Connecticut, Sherry and her husband Brian Lewis of Arizona, Christine Lopez of California, and

Georgina “Gina” Macala of Connecticut, as well as his beloved grandchildren; Emily Mills Ortega

of Arizona, Elisia Santa Maria of Connecticut, Jackie Santa Maria of Connecticut, Trace Langley

of California and Erin Langley of Arizona, Dylan Jones of Idaho, Michelle Santa Maria of

Massachusetts, Quentin Macala of Connecticut and great grandchild Josephine “Josie” Jones

of Idado. He is also survived by many loving cousins and family members, including Nora

Gallegos, Lorraine Bleagarcia and Leo Arguello of New Mexico.

George spent 20 years of his life serving in the United States Navy. Throughout his service, he

was stationed on the USS Chicago, USS Dixie and USS Coral Sea. He was stationed in San

Diego, California, Hunters Point, California, Bremerton, Washington and Portsmouth, Virginia.

Virginia is where he retired and lived for more than 40 years.

He was a Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veteran who passionately supported and advocated the

work of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association. He was a member of the VFW

Post 993 in Portsmouth, Virginia and a regular patron at Catherine’s Cafe.

In 2018, he moved to Rocky Hill, Connecticut, where he lived at the Connecticut Veterans

home. On the weekends, he lived in Wolcott where he frequented the Wolcott VFW Post 1979

and was also a member of American Legion Post 209 of Forestville, CT.

He enjoyed many leisure activities including billiards, bowling, crossword puzzles and solitaire,

however gathering with friends for a cold Coors light beer was his favorite.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the healthcare providers who cared for

him in the last few months of his life, most especially Dr. Michal Rose at the West Haven VA

Hospital, the Athena Hospice team; Heather and Andre and nurse Ron at The Summit.

Calling hours will be Sunday, December 19, 3-5pm at DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington, CT. Military Honors will be presented at 4:30pm. His service will be TribuCast and can be attended remotely via link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/717470918. Following visitation, a celebration of life reception will follow at the American Legion Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association, PO Box 5235, Slidell, LA 70469.