Frank Lopez

Frank Hernandez Lopez age 89 passed away quietly and peacefully on November 29th at 11:34 AM he was surrounded by family, friends and his current and former boxers and their families the last three days of his life.Frank was born in Kemp, Texas on 1936. He was the second youngest of 12 children. His family moved from Texas to Arizona then settled in California.He attended Roosevelt Junior High School and both San Jose High School and Lincoln High School. Which is why he enjoyed attending the Big Bone Football Game every year on Thanksgiving to visit with his friends.Frank met our mother Alvesa Molinar in 1962 and they wed in 1963. They had three children, Frank II in 1964 (deceased 1964 SIDS), Frank III in 1965 and Martha in 1966.He was married to our mother Alvesa until her passing of Cancer in 1999. When asked why he never remarried he always responded he would never find another woman like our mother. Frank worked and retired from Ford Motor Company.

Frank’s greatest love and passion besides his family was being a Boxing Coach, he was a coach for 60 plus years. He began in the Westside of San Jose that was later known as “Barrio Horseshoe” he wanted to give the boys and girls of this neighborhood a sense of family and community through boxing and mentorship. And, most importantly it kept them off “the streets” which led so many into gang affiliation.

When he and my mother purchased our home in the Northside of San Jose in 1970 they officially became The Northside Boxing Club. He trained the boxers in our backyard (patio and double car garage) for many years. My mother was always supportive and would cook for many. Later, the boxing club was named San Jose Boxing Club because my father welcomed any young boy or girl who wanted to train.

Our father trained hundreds of boxers throughout his lifetime and most became family. Many boys and girls became Golden Glove Champions and Professional Boxers.

Our dad was proud that he was able to keep these youngsters away from the “streets” and “gang affiliation”. And even more proud that they became Teachers, Principals, Counselors, Police Officers, CHP Officers, and most importantly they had families of their own that became his/our families as well.

Also our father was well known for coming home with a stray dog that he found on the streets of our neigborhood throughout our childhood. Many times he would come home with another dog saying "Toi" needed a friend, this past year he called a little black chihuahua/terrier mix (another stray dog) his "Black Angel" because she kept him warm when he napped and slept. He named her Travi which is short for traviesa which means naughty in spanish because she was always getting into trouble, he loved her so much, he would get up early every morning to feed her and walk her, She was definitly a blessing in disguise.

Frank will be greatly missed but he was so ready to reunite with our mother and his mother.