He Had an Antic Disposition. . .
I write in deep sorrow and shock knowing that Jesse Lopata, a true light of talent, humor, intelligence and all other good things, just passed away on Wednesday. He is the first of my students/actors I have lost. He was certainly far, far too young. Many of you knew him. I am sorry to be the bearer of this sorrowful news. He had been battling leukemia for over a year now. I had thought he was doing quite well. I had seen him about town in his now trademark 1930s vintage suits over the summer. But I hadn't seen him for a while. I just thought perhaps he had recovered enough to go back to college. For you VTRF folks, you will remember Jesse best for his perfect performance of his evil servingman character, Divell. Some will remember how a 15 year old was perfectly willing and able to fall through a break-away table in that momentous tavern brawl our last year at Guilford. My favorite memory of his performances was his brilliant portrayal of Hamlet in the 15 Minute Hamlet. Others will remember his sweet voice in the Court Sing our last year of VTRF. And yet others will simply remember a dear soul whose time should not have been over so quickly.
From the Brattleboro Reformer, 1/9/09
Jesse Lopata
Jesse Lopata 1989 - 2009 MARLBORO, VT Jesse Julius Lopata, 19, of Marlboro, Vt., died on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. He was born in Brattleboro, Vt., on Oct. 14, 1989, son of Edward Lopata and Lisa McCoy. Jesse was a true Romantic who lived his life to the fullest. He strived to learn and share knowledge in many and varied areas including architecture, music, theater, philosophy, and religion. His love of nature and people made him an extraordinary person. Jesse leaves his mother Lisa Pauline McCoy and her partner Alan Aaron, of Westminster West, Vt., his father Edward Lopata and his domestic partner Carla Meskill of Marlboro, Vt., a stepsister Katie Kerr of Boston, Mass., his maternal grandparents Wade and JoAnn McCoy of Lusby, Md., and several uncles, aunts and cousins. FUNERAL NOTICE: Services will be at the KER-WESTERLUND FUNERAL HOME on Friday January 9, 2009 at 11 a.m. with burial to follow at the King Cemetery on Fox Road in Marlboro, VT. There are to be no calling hours. A memorial gathering and life celebration is planned for Saturday Jan. 10, 2009 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Brattleboro Art Museum. All are welcome to attend both Friday and Saturday services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jesse's memory may be made to CHaD at Dartmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH or to any children's leukemia research foundation. Arrangements are under the care of the KER-WESTERLUND AND FLEMING FUNERAL HOME, 57 High Street Brattleboro, VT, 05301 and www.kerwesterlund.com His was a singular light in too brief a life.
From the Brattleboro Reformer, 1/9/09
Jesse Lopata
Jesse Lopata 1989 - 2009 MARLBORO, VT Jesse Julius Lopata, 19, of Marlboro, Vt., died on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. He was born in Brattleboro, Vt., on Oct. 14, 1989, son of Edward Lopata and Lisa McCoy. Jesse was a true Romantic who lived his life to the fullest. He strived to learn and share knowledge in many and varied areas including architecture, music, theater, philosophy, and religion. His love of nature and people made him an extraordinary person. Jesse leaves his mother Lisa Pauline McCoy and her partner Alan Aaron, of Westminster West, Vt., his father Edward Lopata and his domestic partner Carla Meskill of Marlboro, Vt., a stepsister Katie Kerr of Boston, Mass., his maternal grandparents Wade and JoAnn McCoy of Lusby, Md., and several uncles, aunts and cousins. FUNERAL NOTICE: Services will be at the KER-WESTERLUND FUNERAL HOME on Friday January 9, 2009 at 11 a.m. with burial to follow at the King Cemetery on Fox Road in Marlboro, VT. There are to be no calling hours. A memorial gathering and life celebration is planned for Saturday Jan. 10, 2009 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Brattleboro Art Museum. All are welcome to attend both Friday and Saturday services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jesse's memory may be made to CHaD at Dartmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH or to any children's leukemia research foundation. Arrangements are under the care of the KER-WESTERLUND AND FLEMING FUNERAL HOME, 57 High Street Brattleboro, VT, 05301 and www.kerwesterlund.com His was a singular light in too brief a life.