Jaime Martins Lopes
Grand Marshal - 2024
Jaime Martins Lopes was born in Lisbon, Portugal to Marta and Manuel Lopes on March 23rd, 1961. Jaime grew up in the city of Alverca and in 1974, at the age of 13, he immigrated to the US. He has lived in Elizabeth, New Jersey since then. He attended Thomas Edison Tech High School. In his freshman year he joined the varsity soccer team and played for 4 years. During this time, he was also part of the juniors’ soccer team for PISC. Upon graduating high school, he attended and graduated from Paterson Technical Institute. In 1985, Jaime married Idalina Grova and in the following year they had a son, James. James is married to Stephanie Catarino and they have a beautiful 18 month old daughter, Adelaide. Jaime is a very proud granddad.
Jaime has worked for the City of Elizabeth in the Health Department as a Housing Inspector since 1987 and has recently retired. In his early years, he worked part-time for the Meadowlands Sports Complex for numerous years. In 1991, he attended the Professional School of Real Estate and obtained his Real Estate license. He then became a part-time agent for Al Correia Agency in Elizabeth. Later, he along with a few partners, opened their own real estate agency (Re/Max New Millennium Group) where he continues to work as owner/associate.
In 1986, Jaime became a member of the Elizabeth Portuguese Lions Club. He has been a board member for many years and has held various positions including Lion Tamer, Vice President, and President. In 2020, he served as President of the Lions for the 2nd time. Jaime has been recognized for his service with the Melvin Jones Fellow award from Lions Club International Foundation for his dedication to humanitarian services. Currently, he continues to serve on the Board of Directors as Vice President again. He is very involved with numerous community events held throughout the year. He also plays a major part in the maintenance of a cabin in Camp Marcella. This summer camp is designed specifically for children & teens with blindness, visual impairments, and special needs. Hence, keeping up with the Lion’s motto “We Serve”.
In 1986, Jaime also became part of the board of directors for PISC for 3 consecutive years. In 2011 and 2012 he served as Vice-President and in 2013 he served as President of PISC. In the last few years, he has been serving on the PISC board as 1st secretary to the Conselho Fiscal.
Throughout his life, Jaime has also joined other various organizations such as PACC (Portuguese American Citizen Club of Elizabeth) and the First Ward Development Fund Inc.
Throughout his life Jaime has been very involved with the youth of our community. In 1994, he joined the Clube Desportivo de Jovens of Our Lady of Fatima Church (presently known as the Elizabeth Youth Soccer INSF/PISC). He joined the board as Director Desportivo and as a soccer coach. He later served as president of the Clube Desportivo de Jovens from 1998 to 2000. During his presidency, he along with other members of the board, moved the club’s activities beyond recreational soccer and joined the Mid New Jersey Youth Soccer Association. With this change, it made the club a traveling soccer club for the first time. For several years after his presidency, he remained a soccer coach until his son outgrew the club. In 2012, he rejoined as a coach for several more years. At the same time, Jaime became a member of the Conselho Parochial of Our Lady of Fatima Church. He also joined the Administrative Council for Elizabethport Catholic School from 1995 to 1997, in which 3 catholic elementary schools in Elizabethport merged to create one school. Jaime coached the JV soccer team at Roselle Catholic High School for 4 years from 2004-2008.
Jaime has been an active member of the Elizabeth Portugal Day Committee for several years and continues to help in any way he can.