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Edward J. Lopata, 66, a long-time Severna Park and Annapolis community member, died on 16 January of stomach cancer. A 1963 graduate of Georgetown University Foreign Service School and 3 year letterman and Co-Captain of the Hoya Basketball Team, he also earned a Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law School in 1966. Subsequently, Ed served as a Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Marine Corps Reserve and having been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with a Combat "V".

A practicing lawyer in Washington DC and Maryland, Mr. Lopata had over 35 years of experience with trial and appellate practice. He represented clients in insurance defense, products and premises liability, toxic torts, professional liability, construction and workers' compensation and insurance coverage law. He practiced law with the Washington DC firm of Jordan, Coyne, Savits & Lopata for 23 years, then joined the Baltimore firm Tydings and Rosenberg in 1993, where he practiced until his death.

Mr. Lopata's professional affiliations included the American Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar Association, District of Columbia Defense Lawyers Association, The Counselors, Delta Phi Epsilon Professional Foreign Service Fraternity, and the Maryland Defense Lawyers. Mr. Lopata was also xxxxxxxxx to the Supreme Court.

His interests included scuba diving, fine wine and dining, golf, travel, reading, tennis, debating politics, earning billable hours, toasting in foreign languages and especially family vacations.

Ed is survived by his wife of 28 years, Marcia S. Lopata, four children, Michael Lopata of Severn, MD; Courtney Ducharme of Davidsonville, MD; Clarke Miller of Annapolis, MD; Kendall Frank of Atlanta, GA, and six grandchildren.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Monday 21 January at the Barranco & Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Tuesday 22 January at 11:00 AM at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park. Burial will follow at Maryland Veterans' Cemetery in Crownsville, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake at 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401 or the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or Anne Arundel Medical Center at Sajak Pavilion, Suite 240, 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis MD 21401.