Deacon Dean Lopata was called home on November 7, 2018. For over 31 years, he was the devoted and loving husband of Coco and the father of Lisa Marie (Jack) Talley, and David (Mary Chris) Lopata and stepfather to Daniel (Paul) Macey, Gayle (Jeffrey) Soriano, and Timothy (Heather) Macey. He took special pride in his grandchildren; Madelyn, Alec, Carter, Ben, Jake, and Jenna. He is survived by his sister Barbara Lopata and brother Daniel Lopata, and is preceded in death by his father Louis and his mother Lillian. Deacon Dean was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on February 19, 1944 and received his sacraments at his home parish of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and served in the church as an altar boy. He attended St. Charles Borromeo Elementary School and graduated from Edison High School where he played basketball under the guidance of his father who was the team's coach. He also lettered in football and baseball. Deacon Dean graduated from the University of Minnesota and played on the school's basketball team. He loved all outdoor sports, with fishing at the top of his list. He moved to Maryland and spent his career at the National Security Agency. Deacon Dean was commended for his long service to the Agency at a special luncheon at his retirement in 1999. After much prayer, Dean decided that he would like to become an ordained Deacon in the Catholic Church and after three years he was ordained in 1997. He spent nearly 21 years celebrating his ordination and serving the Lord. He would minister to anyone for healing, depression, a release of the Holy Spirit in their lives, here in the states or abroad. He traveled to many countries also praying, preaching and ministering for our Lord. Family and friends may visit on Tuesday November 13, 2018 between 4:00PM - 8:00PM at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church at 685 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD. 21146. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Wednesday November 14, 2018 at 10:30AM at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church at 685 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD. Burial is to follow at Our Lady of the Field Roman Catholic Cemetery.
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Note for father: (Picture included)
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Louis Michael Lopata
Born: 5 Jun 1914
Birth Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Death Date: 3 Feb 1995
Death County: Hennepin

CLASS 1939
Hall of Fame - INDUCTION 1964
SPORT(S) Football, Baseball, Basketball
Twelve-time letter winner during his career at MSU in football (4), basketball (4), and baseball (4)...Captain of the football team during the 1937 and ’38 seasons...All-Conference football honors in 1936 and 1039...Little All-American football player in 1938...Captain of the baseball team for the 1938 season...Coached football, basketball, and baseball at Delano one year...Served as basketball coach at Edison High School from 1943-62...His 1943 team competed in the state tournament.