Humbert Marc Lopes

Humbert M. (Marc) Lopes, 97, of Fishers, IN passed away, August 16, 2022. He was born in Fall River, MA on July 6, 1925, the eldest son of the late Belmira Correia Lopes and Francisco Lopes.

Humbert has been a man of integrity, honor, deep faith, and respect for everyone. Over many years, he has gathered and kept close his family and many friends in his neighborhood, church, and community. Humbert has lived life large into “super-elder” years with health, connectedness and vitality that inspires all of us.

Ever proud of his heritage, Humbert was first generation American born, raised with his grandmother, Victoria de Sousa Correia, a young widow who immigrated with her two daughters, including the youngest child who became his mother, from the Azores Islands, Portugal to the US. His grandmother cared for him, while his parents worked in the mills and construction in Fall River, MA.

Humbert proudly served two tours in the Army Air / Air Force from August 1944 to November 1952, in both WW II and the Korean War. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp, winning a placement in flight cadet training and commissioned as an officer in 1944. He became certified as one of the few “3-headed monsters”, deployed as a radar man, bombardier, and navigator, flying B-29’s, with the 344th Bomber Squadron, 98th Bomber Wing. He flew over 50 bombing sorties over Japan and Korea. Humbert was honorably discharged from the Air Force as a First Lieutenant in November 1952.

In 1950, Humbert used his GI Bill benefits to obtain a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. Always an athlete, he also lettered in varsity soccer at Rensselaer. He went on to have an illustrious career in product development and management with The Firestone Company. His management career took him to opening new plants and managing plant operations in US, Canada, Wales, UK, Greece, and Brazil. Humbert was instrumental in formulating and developing the highly successful business for Firestone’s rubber roofing product. Ultimately, in 1978 he rose to the position of President of Firestone Industrial Products Company (FIPC), the diversified products division of The Firestone Company. He embodied the true American story of opportunity and achievement, from immigrant roots to senior executive of a Fortune 500 company in two generations.

Beyond his career success, Humbert’s proudest achievements have always been raising and loving his family and giving back to his community. Humbert married his late wife, Helen Stinziano Lopes in November 1952, returning to Somerset, MA, near his family in Fall River, MA, after his military service. There they raised two daughters, Patricia and Joanne. In 1967, a corporate promotion took the family to live in Lindsay, Ontario, Canada, a great family adventure as they explored Canada for several years. Shortly after returning to the US in 1972, the family settled in Carmel, IN where Humbert led management operations of FIPC nearby. Together, they enjoyed many years experiencing all that the Midwest has to offer. Upon the terminal illness of his wife, Helen (dec. April 1982), Humbert took early retirement to care for her and to enjoy their brief time left together. After her death, Humbert successfully consulted on operational efficiency and integration with many prior clients. Always devoted to his faith, Humbert became a more active volunteer and participant in his church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church (OLMC), Carmel, IN.

Life began anew, when Humbert met and married Shirley Peetz Dupons in April 1986. Together, they built another life, enjoying travels to Florida, the Caribbean and Europe in their retirement years. Both having deep faith in God and Jesus Christ, they have been active in both OLMC and East 91st Church, participating each weekend in both services, pursuing Bible studies and connecting with friends sharing their devotion to faith. They found joy in visiting all their children, enjoying time at the beach on the East Coast and exploring new areas in Texas together. Humbert and Shirley frequently entertained and created a community among neighbors and friends.

In 1993, Humbert took on a new role: volunteering with Hamilton County’s Financial Management to aid and advocate for seniors and disabled individuals in managing their finances. Not long later, he grew this program from a fledgling group to a large team of active volunteers with the mission to keep the elderly and others in their homes. Ultimately, Humbert became President of the Hamilton County Money Management Program, and a board chair and member of the Indiana Governor’s Council on Aging. Upon receiving the 2012 Golden Hoosier Award for his service, he famously said, “I’m helping the old people.” He was 87 at the time; we said, “But you are the old people.” He didn’t believe us and we are glad he didn’t.

Humbert is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Shirley Dupons Lopes, his two daughters, Patricia (Rick Lundregan) Earnest, Joanne (Rice) Powell, his sister, Carolyn (David Woodworth) Alves, his blended family son and daughter, Scott (Cynthia, dec. August 2022) Dupons, Heidi (Stephen) Stump, grandchildren: Morgan (Jennie) Earnest, Kelli Lundregan, Ryan Lundregan, Hannah Powell (Colby Hufnagle), Sophie Powell, Katie Stump (Devin Basile), James (Chenoa) Stump, his niece, Pamela Alves, and great grandson, Killian Stump.

Humbert is preceded in death by his late wife, Helen Stinziano Lopes, mother and father, Belmira and Francisco Lopes, his brothers, Robert Lopes and Frank Lopes, Jr. and stepson, David Dupons. He is also preceded in death by his in-laws, Norma Stinziano, Margaret Rioux, and Pasquale Stinziano, who loved him like a brother.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday, August 21, 2022 at Randall & Roberts Fishers Mortuary, 12010 Allisonville Road, Fishers, Indiana 46038.  Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, August 22, 2022 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 14598 Oak Ridge Road in Carmel, with Rev. Dan Gartland officiating.

Future interment will take place at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in Fall River, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Humbert’s memory to the charity of your choice.

Condolences:  www.randallroberts.com