Joseph R. Lopez

Joseph R. Lopez, 82, of West Broad Street, Tamaqua, died Saturday in Hometown. He was the husband of Valerie K. (Konski) Lopez. Prior to retiring, he had been a realtor in the Tamaqua area and was the owner of the former Lopez Men's Clothier in Tamaqua. Born in Coaldale, he was a son of the late Jess and Ella (Zanecosky) Lopez. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during the Korean War as a member of the Military Police in White Sands, NM. He was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Tamaqua. A 1949 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, he earned a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration in 1953 from Temple University. A 50 year member of the Tamaqua Lions Club, Lopez was a member of the Tamaqua American Legion, the Tamaqua BPO Elks, Schuylkill Board of Realtors, was active with the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce and served 17 years of the Tamaqua Borough Authority. Inducted into the Jim Thorpe Hall of Fame, he was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers but had to defer as he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a daughter, Jessica, wife of Robert Bunson of Philadelphia; and twin grandchildren, Sophia and Samuel Bunson. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Edward Zukas and John Zukas. Services were held Monday under the direction of the Zizelmann-Roche Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tnonline/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-r-lopez&pid=167760112&fhid=22937#sthash.Njy1TjiZ.dpuf