Family lost dad and mom to COVID-19
By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post
People across the Southwest Side are stepping up to help the
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| Mr. Guadalupe "Lupe" Lopez |
family of 58-year-old Guadalupe “Lupe” Lopez, an Archer Heights man who last month lost his battle with COVID-19.
Among those stepping up are three local business owners who have volunteered to help sell raffle tickets designed to raise funds for the Lopez family as they struggle with the loss of the family patriarch—and at the same time grieve the very recent loss of their mother (and Lupe's wife), Maria, who also lost her battle with COVID-19.
Those business owners are Geno Randazzo of All Exterior Contractors, Mike Riordan of the Mike Riordan State Farm Agency, and Mary Ellen Brown of Midway Storage.
“By all accounts, Lupe Lopez was a good husband and father, a good co-worker, a good coach of youth athletic teams, a good neighbor and so much more,” Randazzo said. “Stepping up to help his family was an easy decision to make.”
Raffle tickets are priced at $10 each (or $20 for 3). First prize is an M4 rifle. Second prize is an autographed Gale Sayers jersey. Third prize is a set of Supreme Whiskey Stones custom glasses. Drawing will be held December 16.
Tickets will be sold until December 15 at:
• All Exterior Contractors, 6206 W. 63rd St. (Unit B), from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday though Friday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
• Mike Riordan State Farm, 6538 W. Archer, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.); and
• Midway Storage, 5660 W. 55th St., from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed for lunch from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.), and 9:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday (closed for lunch from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.).
Shortly after Mr. Lopez’ death, his colleagues at the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications issued a statement that noted that they were “incredibly saddened to confirm that one of our 9-1-1 Dispatchers, Guadalupe “Lupe” Lopez, passed away. Lupe was not only a beloved employee of the OEMC family for over 33 years, but also a wonderful friend to many, including many at the Chicago Police Department. He was a kind-hearted man, a genuinely caring person, and a trusted confidant to those he worked with. His contributions to 9-1-1 and the City of Chicago will not be forgotten."
A statement from the Chicago Police Department said, “Officers in Chicago rely on their dispatchers while serving and protecting this city. For Chicago Police Officers working Zone 10, Guadalupe Lopez was that voice of security and reassurance. Today Guadalupe Lopez lost his battle with COVID-19. The Chicago Police Department mourns his loss.
Lupe was a 33-year veteran of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and he will never be forgotten!”
