Sebastian Lopez

Sebastian Ramon Lopez, 92 passed away peacefully at his home on February 19th, 2021 surrounded by family and friends. He was born February 7, 1929 in Güines, Cuba at the end of The Roaring Twenties. Having lost both of his parents, he was continued to be raised by his family's livin-in caretakers, Clotilde and Graciela, who were considered part of the family.

Sebastian grew up to be a strong and handsome young man. His love for physical education and sports would later guide him to his future career. He developed an acclaimed career as a PE professor and woman's volleyball coach at the Instituto de Segunda Enseñanza in Güines, Cuba.

During this time he met and fell in love with Aida Almeida Matos. Together, the two built a family out of their humble existence. Then in 1959 their world changed. Sebastian and his wife began to find a way to escape the regime that had taken over their homeland. Finally after a very long and arduous process, on September 17, 1970 he, his wife and children arrived in Miami, Florida with literally nothing more than the clothes on their backs. A stranger in a new land, he adapted and began to work to provide for his family, but yet always dreaming and hoping of one day to return to his beloved Cuba. His journey brought him and his wife to Mebane, North Carolina in order to be closer to their children. Here he retired and called North Carolina his final home.

Sebastian was an avid lover of history. He was a voracious reader of books on the topic and watched hours of documentaries while taking notes. He would then share what he learned with his two children encouraging them to remember. However, no history stood out more in his mind than the history in which he played a part in his beloved Cuba.

Sebastian will always be remembered by those who knew him for his great intellectual mind, the stories he told, his great sense of humor, and for being a loving husband and father. He is preceded in death by his father, Sebastian Lopez Gonzalez, and mother, Rosa Ramos Herrera. He is survived in death by his wife Aida Lopez and two children, Irina Lopez Teixeira of Mebane, North Carolina and son, Andrew Lopez of San Antonio, Texas.

A graveside service to celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 2PM at Alamance Memorial Park.