Santiago Lopez

Santiago “Chago” Lopez, 45, of Stevensville, MI passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at his home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:30 A.M. Monday, March 2, 2015 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 Delaware, Benton Harbor with Fr. William Jacobs Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery in Stevensville. Friends may visit from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with the Rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Citadel Dance & Music Center c/o Santiago Lopez. Those wishing to share a memory of Santiago online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com  Santiago was born November 2, 1969 in Harvey, IL to Napoleon & Carmen (Magallanes) Lopez. He graduated from Lakeshore High School in 1987. Chago was more than a great man, not all that often does a man like him come along. Chago lived life with a kindled passion for all that he put his mind to. A proud time in Chago’s life was in college at the University of Michigan, a proud member of the Men’s Glee Club and an amazing actor, the love of the arts burned with a raging fire and would continue to shine throughout his life. After a few years at U of M he found himself traveling the world with Northwest Airlines as a Flight Attendant. Yet after seeing the world, he decided to come home, and it was there that he made an impact on thousands as he co-founded the Out Center, a gay rights organization that would touch so many. Also he found himself so deeply involved in the arts community trying to find any way he could be involved, from simply attending the plays and musicals of his numerous friends, to standing in the spotlight in productions such as, The Secret Garden, Pippin, and so many more. But, the thing about stars is their light cannot be contained, and as so Chago found himself in New York, working for the Arcus Foundation another LGBT nonprofit organization which he was all too proud to be a part of. But being away from friends and family drew him again back to the shores of Lake Michigan. Continuing his work here he would work to aid the arts community of Benton Harbor, in one way was bringing Benton Harbor Native Nikki Harris, an internationally recognized singer, to perform, with all revenues helping the arts district flourish.  Chago would also be a huge advocate for Racial Equality throughout all his endeavor’s, following the footsteps of Cesar Chavez one of his idols. But even through everything, if someone needed a friend, or just someone to be there, he was. And above all that is his legacy, the hundreds of people whose lives were effected by one man.  Santiago is survived by his parents Napoleon & Carmen Lopez; sisters Juanita (John) Grover and Reyna (Francisco) Chaves; 10 nephews and nieces Fina, Sara, Rebecca, Victoria, David, Tony, Dani, Zach, Lupe, and Sofi; and many extended family members.