Community Corner
Nick Lopez Husband, Father, SWR Soccer Coach Remembered
Nick Lopez, 44, died over the weekend. City SC Soccer shared that his life positively affected many young soccer players and their families.
LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Southwest Riverside County husband, father, and soccer coach Nick Lopez, 44, died Sunday following an illness, City SC Soccer Club announced in a message to their teams.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and sons Miles, Liam and Luke.
"Nick was a professional coach with the club for several years and played a significant role in expanding our club to Lake Elsinore and Menifee," City SC coach and administrator Terry Olsen said.
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"As some of you were aware, Coach Nick was battling brain cancer for the last 18 months and succumbed to this devastating disease on Sunday, October 13," Olsen said. "He passed peacefully in his sleep with his dear Michelle holding his hand. Our hearts are aching today for his three little boys, Miles, Liam, and Luke, who meant everything to Nick.
"Nick will perhaps be the most intelligent person most of us will ever meet. He held a PhD. in Theoretical Physics and left a legacy in his field. His quiet, humble, and unassuming personality was refreshing and endearing, and he always made everyone else around him feel important, smart, and special. Nick was an extremely talented and patient coach who truly saw potential in every child in his care. He coached from the bottom of the roster and up, which earned him the respect of so many families in Lake Elsinore, Menifee, and Temecula. The void left in our hearts from Nick’s passing will never be filled."
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Fellow coaches and families commented over Facebook, saying:
"The amount of kids he’s had a direct impact on through various teams and Little Cityzens is beyond imaginable. Such a great guy, glad I got the pleasure to coach alongside him while I could," Alan Poache said.
Mother Amber Russek shared her thoughts, saying, "My daughter had Coach Nick as her assistant couch her first season. We loved him!!! He was so kind and patient. You could just tell that he loved to be a coach and share his love of the game with the kids. May he rest in peace. Prayers to his wife and kids, I know they are hurting right now."
Terry Olsen added, "I wish RIP meant Return if Possible. I will miss you, my friend."
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