Tom Lopes Park Dedicated

The late Tom Lopes of New Bedford was remembered this weekend with the dedication of a small park at One Washington Square, and the unveiling of a sculture showing Lopes walking in the community and greeting others.

Lopes was the first Cape Verdean-American to serve in the Mass House.

The ceremony on Saturday attracted more than 100 onlookers, and Lopes' sister, Deborah Lopes Ramos was very pleased. "With the bad weather going on down South, the sun was shinning on us here today," said Ramos.

"I know Tom is looking down on us and saying they should have done that for someone else, but I can't think of anyone that's more deserving."

After his stint in the Legislature, Tom Lopes started and published a weekly newspaper for the Cape Verdean community.

Mayor Jon Mitchell called Lopes a "trailblazer," and said the park and sculpture will serve as a reminder to residents that one person can truly make a difference.