Raul Lopez-Ibanez

Raul was born in Havana, Cuba on April 20, 1934 to Raul and Maria Antonieta Lopez-Ibanez. A law graduate from the University of Havana, he married Maria de la Ascuncion "Marcia" Font in 1959. In 1960, they chose to leave Cuba due to the oppressive political climate of the times. After living in Tampa and St. Petersburg, FL where he started his family, he moved to Charlotte, NC in 1964. He worked with two of his brothers, Antonio and Juan, along with Miguel Salcines, another Cuban born professional at Charlotte Trimming Company, which they all were co-owners of. At Charlotte Trimming they developed a textile business that fostered the employment of other minorities and refugees from over twenty countries.

Forming new roots in Charlotte, his family expanded to four children. He was an active member of St. Ann and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Churches. An avid racquetball player at the Central (now Dowd) YMCA for many years, he thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie with other Y members. Affectionately referred by many as "Papi", he enjoyed spending time with his family and vast array of friends, listening to classical music, travelling to Florida, and spending time at his Lake Norman home during the summers. He was known for his quick humor, knack for storytelling, and charitable disposition.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marcia Font Lopez-Ibanez; his brothers, Roberto and Juan Lopez-Ibanez; his cousin, Judith Schumann; his nephews, Juanito and David Lopez-Ibanez; and his parents, Raul and Antonieta Lopez-Ibanez. Raul is survived by his wife, Olga Montagnino and her family; his children, Marcia Lopez-Ibanez Menefee, Elena Lopez-Ibanez, Raul Lopez-Ibanez, Maureen Lopez-Ibanez Sissine and husband Joseph; his grandchildren, Lauren, Christopher, and Sarah Lopez-Ibanez, Alex, and Ana Menefee, Michael, Joseph, and Sophia Sissine; his brother, Antonio Lopez-Ibanez and his wife Zaydee; his in-laws, Jose and Carolyn Font, Gladys Amaro Lopez-Ibanez, Nancy Crosby Lopez-Ibanez; his cousins, Nancy Schumann, Marcos and Rosita Perez Medina; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved.

A Rosary will be recited at 7 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church; the family will receive friends until 9 pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am Wednesday, Feb. 19th at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital, Source Code: MMH1307992000, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Building Fund, 6828 Old Reid Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210.

Raul's family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Brighton Gardens and Hospice of Charlotte for their tender and attentive care, as well as the love he received during his stay.