Michael Lopez

Michael Lopez
(1928 – 2020)

Michael Lopez, staff worker of Madonna House, died peacefully on October 31, 2020 in Our Lady of the Visitation – St. Mary’s, Combermere, ON

Michael, the son of Antonio Benito and Flora Matta Lopez, was born in Valparaiso, Chile. After attending primary and secondary schools in Chile, as well as the University of Chile in Santiago, he continued his studies in Food Technology at the University of Massachusetts and the University of Maine in the United States.

After reading about the Madonna House Summer School of Catholic Action in the Our Sunday Visitor paper, he came to Combermere for three weeks the summer of 1957. This revealed to him a possible future path for his life, and he returned in January to pursue a vocation as a lay missionary. Michael made his First Promises on August 15, 1958 and made a permanent commitment with Final Promises seven years later.

Michael served at mission houses of Madonna House in Winslow, AZ, and Whitehorse, YK, and as the Local Director of the mission house of Marian Centre in Regina, SK, for seven years. While in Combermere, he served as Director of Training, as department head of Shipping and Receiving, at St. Benedict Acres, and as Registrar for Men Guests.

Predeceased by his parents and a sister, Michael is survived by his brother Anthony.

A public viewing was held at Heubner Funeral Home in Barry’s Bay according to the current protocols on Monday evening, November 2. The wake Service and Mass of Christian burial were celebrated privately for members of the community on Tuesday, November 3, and Wednesday, November 4, with internment at the Madonna House cemetery.

Madonna House would like to thank Dr. Tiedje for his many years of care for Michael, the Bayshore Nurses who assisted him in his final weeks, and all who cared for him while he lived in Our Lady of the Visitation at St. Mary’s.

Due to provincial directives, the maximum number of people in the funeral home/church at any time is 30% of the venue capacity and you must keep a minimum distance of 6 feet between you at all times. This means no hugging, handshakes or other forms of contact with people outside of your household. Masks are now mandatory to enter the funeral home/church/service location. You must remain outside in your vehicle (no waiting outside the funeral home/service location) and wait to be allowed inside and you must sign in with your name and phone number once you enter for contact tracing purposes. Please also ensure you use the hand sanitizer as requested. We no longer take donations, but there are links and phone numbers below to donate directly to each organization if applicable.