Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
Hilario Lopes, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away in his homeland of Cabo Verde on March 15, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and community. Born on October 21, 1935, in Fogo, Cabo Verde, he was the cherished son of the late Hilario DoCanto and Maria Lopes.
Hilario proudly served in the Cabo Verdean Military from March 1958 to 1960. Following his service, he moved to Dakar, Senegal, where he began a new chapter of his life and married his first wife, the late Didi Avelino Perry. In late October of 1967, he migrated to the United States, where he built a life rooted in hard work, family, and tradition.
A man of many passions, Hilario found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He loved attending yard sales, often discovering small treasures along the way. He took great pride in making his own wine, a craft that earned him recognition in the Brockton Enterprise Newspaper. He also had a deep appreciation for agriculture, raising goats, chickens, rabbits, and more—creating a small homestead that reflected his resourcefulness and connection to the land.
Hilario was known as a wonderful cook, and some of his happiest moments were spent gathered with family and friends under the grapevines, sharing delicious food and his homemade wine. During his time in Dakar, he learned to prepare a special dish called Cheb jen, which became a cherished family tradition. Over the years, several family members proudly carried on his legacy by continuing to make and share this beloved dish. He also enjoyed playing cards, bringing laughter and camaraderie to all who joined him.
He was the loving and devoted husband of his longtime wife, Agueda R. Lopes. He was a proud and caring father to Jose DeAndrade, Antonio Alberto Alves Santos, Maria Jesus Monteiro, Eveline Lopes Polite, Eusebio Lopes, Auguste Lopes, Nelson R. Lopes, Sandy Lopes O’Gowan, and Vania Lopes. His legacy continues through his 34 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, all of whom he loved dearly.
Hilario is also survived by his siblings Manuel Cisto Lopes, Maria Teresa Monteiro Santos, Antonio Monteiro, Jeromina Wahnon, and Celina Gomes, along with a host of many other loving relatives and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Antonia Afonso, and three grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to honor and celebrate Hilario’s life at the following services:
Viewing services will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at George Lopes Funeral Home, 647 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301.
A Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM at St. Edith Stein Parish, 71 E. Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301.
Hilario Lopes will be remembered for his warmth, generosity, and the enduring love he shared with his family and community. His memory will live on in the stories told, the traditions carried forward, and the lives he touched so deeply.
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.