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Lorenzo E. Tapia, 71, a resident of Albuquerque, passed away suddenly on Friday, November 8, 2002. He is survived by his wife, Celeste Tapia; mother in law, Flora Lucero; children, Lauren E. Veronneau, Denise A. Tapia, Barbara A. Bond, Annette T. Wihl and husband, Kurt, Eugene R. Garcia and wife, Tanya, all of Albuquerque, Elizabeth A. Copelin and Donald Romero from Arizona, Lisa E. Muth and husband, Shane, and Joyce Medina and husband, Manny, all of Albuquerque; sons-in-law, Gary Bond of Albuquerque and Cliff Mezo of Illinois; grandchildren, Patrick Wihl, Jolie Veronneau, Abby Wihl, Jackie Copelin, Kendel Copelin, II, Kelsey Bond, Tobias Martinez, Christopher Medina, Adrian Medina, Mia Mezo and Isabella Muth; nieces and nephews, Janie Lovato, Manny Rodriguez, Camile Montoya, Larry Rodriguez, Theresa Padilla, Erminio Rodriguez and Marsha Rodriguez; and many friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eloy and Avelina Tapia, brother, Fernandito Tapia, sister, Katie Rodriguez, wife, Doris Tapia, son, Steve E. Tapia, in-laws, Lauro and Chonita Flores, nephew, Joaquin Rodriguez, niece Celesia Cruz and son-in-law, Kendel Copelin, I. Lorenzo was a member of the American Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association and the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association. He was a founding member of MALDEF and LULAC. Lorenzo served his country in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952 and the U.S. National Guard until 1953, and the Army Reserves from 1953 to 1955 while attending St. Joseph's College in Albuquerque. He attended New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico from 1955 to 1957. Lorenzo received his J.D. from American University in 1959. Lorenzo was admitted to practice law in 1959 and achieved the highest score on the bar exam until recently. He was admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court. In 1961 he became Chief Counsel to the Senate Public Works Committee and served on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. Lorenzo served as a loyal assistant to U.S. Senator Dennis Chavez. He also organized the VIVA Kennedy Campaign in the Southwest. Lorenzo returned to New Mexico to practice law and specialized in criminal defense and civil litigation. He had previously served as Director of the Motor Vehicle Department. He was deeply loved and will be missed. Rosary will be recited on Monday, November 11, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. at French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd, NE. Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 12, 2002 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 619 Copper Ave. NW. Burial to take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery on Thursday, November 14, 2002, arrangements pending. Pallbearers will be Lorenzo Rodriguez, Erminio Rodriguez, Mannie Rodriguez, Eugene Garcia, Patrick Wihl, Manny Medina, Kurt Wihl and Gary Bond. Honorary Pallbearers will be Christopher Medina, Tobias Martinez, Kendel Copelin, II, and Adrian Medina. Friends may visit French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, on Monday, November 11, 2002 from 4:00 p.m. until rosary. Flowers may be sent to French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE or memorial contributions may be made to All Faiths Receiving Home, 1709 Moon Street NE, Albuquerque, 87112.
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