Brother Anthony Lopez, MM

Born: January 8, 1947
Oath: May 20, 1970
Died: March 29, 2024

Brother Anthony Lopez died on March 29, 2024 in the Assisted Living Unit at Maryknoll, New York. He was 77 years old and a Maryknoll Brother for 53 years.

Anthony Lopez was born on January 8, 1947, son of José M. and Josephine Rodriquez Lopez in León, Mexico, and moved to Chicago, Illinois soon after. He graduated from St. Mel High School in Chicago in 1966 and entered Maryknoll in September 1966. He attended Meramac Junior College in Missouri and later earned an Associates degree in Business Administration. He took his First Oath on May 20, 1970. In 1973 he became the first Maryknoll Brother to participate in Maryknoll’s Overseas Training Program, spending two years working in a parish in Venezuela while studying the language and culture.

After taking his Final Oath in 1976, Brother Tony, as he preferred to be called, was assigned to Venezuela. He served there until 1980 when he was assigned to the Brothers Formation Program in the United States. He attended the Institute of Religious Formation at St. Louis University in 1984. In 1985 he was assigned to the Development Department and in 1987 to the Vocation Office. In 1990, along with Father Manuel Mejía, he began the Hispanic Initiative in San Francisco, California. The following year, he and Father Mejía opened Casa Maryknoll – the Maryknoll House of Formation for Hispanic vocations – in San Jose, California.

In June 1994, Brother Tony was appointed Director of the Brothers Formation Program. He was a member of the Vocation Office Leadership Team and also of the National Religious Vocation Conference for Hispanic Vocations. Brother Tony was appointed as the Society-at-large representative to the Maryknoll Affiliate Board in 1999. He served as a member of the Vocational Coordinating Committee and on the Admissions Board.  He also served several terms on the U.S. Regional Council.

In 1999 Brother Tony was appointed Co-Director of the Maryknoll Society House in New York City. He continued in that role until November 2010, when he was appointed Center Activities and Services Animator, a new position which was to facilitate Center hospitality to Maryknollers and visitors and help create a familiar atmosphere in the living and workplace in the Seminary building.

In December 2011 Brother Tony was reassigned as Co-Director of the New York City House. For many years his hospitality and welcoming presence were appreciated by Maryknollers and other visitors. He continued to serve at the New York City House until 2020, when he took up residence at the Society Center. He was assigned to the Senior Missioner Community in April 2021.

Brother Tony reflected that a high point in his life was being able to serve the people of Venezuela. He said the mission vocation was very rewarding but also at times difficult, and that “The experience stays with you all your life.”

Brother Tony is survived by his sister, Maria Strong, and his niece, Rachel Strong.

Wake services were held on April 2, 2024 in the Holy Spirit Chapel and the Queen of Apostles Chapel at the Maryknoll Society Center. Mass of Christian Burial followed at 11:00 a.m. and was concelebrated in the Queen of Apostles Chapel. Father Francis McGourn was the Celebrant and Father James Najmowski was homilist. Father Lawrence Lewis read the biography and Brother Brendan Corkery read the Oath. Interment in the Maryknoll Society Columbarium followed immediately after the Mass, with Father Juan Zuñiga presiding at the Columbarium prayers.