• Visitation Monday, September 25, 2023, at Heritage Funeral Home 4800 South 84th Street, Greenfield, WI 53228 from 4:00 – 6:30 PM.  Funeral Service 6:30 PM.

• Family and friends will gather at 9:00 AM, Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the funeral home before processing to Forest Home Cemetery for the burial.

Please click here to view the services held for Pablo Soto Lopez on September 25th of 2023

Pablo “Pito” Soto Lopez

A blessing to all who knew him, Pablo “Pito” Soto Lopez was a testament to God’s transforming power of love and grace. Pito embodied the principles of his faith and chose to be happy, humble, and kind. He led with his heart in all things and called people he cared about “licensiado,” denoting his respect for them. Whether playing music, cheering on his favorite team, gathering for a meal, or playing with his grandkids, Pito proved a powerful role model. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and servant of the Lord, Pito will long be remembered and so very missed.

Born on March 22, 1952, in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Pablo’s parents were Hipolito and Rosa Maria Soto Lopez. Pablo’s father worked in upholstery, and his mother was a seamstress. Pablo was the oldest of eight children, he and his twin sister, Rosa Maria, grew up with their younger siblings, Jose, Yolanda, Silvia, Evelyn, Jennifer, and Luis Soto. With eight children, family life was always filled with activity.

Pablo’s grandmother, whom he called “Mami,” was instrumental in raising him. In the comforts of her love and support, he enjoyed cooking with his grandmother and had a good hand for seasoning and cooking perni. Affectionately called “Pito,” his education concluded at 8th grade. Pito was very funny, always a jokester, and made friends easily. From a very early age, Pablo was always drawn to music; he loved to sing and play the guitar and drums. Incredibly talented, he enjoyed singing and being a musician.

Pablo was married at a young age in Puerto Rico and had five children. The marriage ended in divorce due to drinking and irresponsibility. Pablo joined a group called the Starlights, and as the lead singer, he was quite successful, but he lost contact with his children, and they grew apart. He proceeded to make bad choices that eventually resulted in spending time in prison.

While in prison, he became acquainted with different religious groups and was offered an opportunity to sing with the Pentecostal Church group. As singing was his passion, he readily accepted. And, in time, he developed a love and trust for the Lord, which led him to repentance and a desire to serve the Lord in worship. After parole was denied, he prayed and asked the Lord that if He would grant him parole, he would only sing and play for His glory. In answer to his prayer, Pito was granted parole the next time he was eligible, and as promised, he devoted himself to singing to and for the glory of God to the end.

In his new life, Pablo connected with a former friend, Maria Pilar in 1990. After dating and growing their relationship, they married in 1992 at the Mitchell Park Domes. Their marriage was firmly rooted in friendship, love, respect, and a mutual commitment to living lives that honored God.

Sadly, due to alcohol and drug abuse in his younger years, Pablo became very sick with liver cirrhosis. Despite a dire prognosis, Pablo was not deterred from playing worship songs even when it became difficult and painful. His determination was most evident after he was hospitalized and intubated. After recovering and being released from the hospital on Thursday, he was at church and ready to play the drums on Sunday for Jesus. When the congregation saw him, they began calling him Lazarus.

Pito chose to use his past as a platform and testimony. God, in his mercy, granted him the blessing of being reconciled to his children, and Pito continually prayed over his children and family. Even in death, God has granted healing grace to take place with his children. Though Pablo and Maria had no children together, he loved and embraced Maria’s children as his own and was considered Dad and Grandpa.

There was never a dull moment in the Soto House. Pito was the best stepdad and grandpa. He loved Maria and never stopped calling her “Babe.” Pito loved being Grandpa and very much became a kid when he shared time with the grandchildren. Saturday mornings were pancake adventure days, and they often hid hamsters in the shed or would sneak catnip to the cat just to see him jump and do flips. Pito loved his cat Snowball and made friends with the pet parakeet. The two enjoyed chirping back and forth. When the parakeet flew out the window Pito left open, he went outside and continued chirping until his friend returned. The parakeet jumped on his finger, and Pito brought him back to safety in the home. Just as the bird trusted Pito to return it to safety, so did Pito trust his life to the Lord.

In addition to his family, Pito found joy in many things, including celebrating his birthday. He got a big kick out of blowing out his candles and his loved ones singing the birthday songs to him. He also enjoyed making model airplanes and ships, crafted wooden houses, and was excellent at calligraphy and sketching pictures. His favorite sports team was the Milwaukee Brewers; he held a long tradition of giving the players funny names.

Though our days with him were far too few, our time with Pito will be long treasured. As we gather to celebrate his life, may we find comfort in our many treasured memories, and in the honor of carrying his legacy forward. In each moment we chose faith over fear, serve others, make music, and embrace life with grace and gratitude, we celebrate all the ways Pito gifted our lives. In this way, we keep his spirit alive and inspiring others as he so inspired us.

Pablo “Pito” Soto Lopez of Milwaukee entered into his rest Thursday, September 14, 2023, at the age of 71. Beloved husband of Maria P. Soto (nee Martinez). Loving Father and Stepfather of Diana “Didi” Goggins, Lenier Dugger, Dianalee Soto, Pablo Soto Jr., Jose Soto, Sonia Soto, and Elizabeth Soto.

Grandfather of Caricia Dugger, Icess Alloway, Zoe Goggins, Joseph Goggins Jr., Judah Goggins, Marieli Reyes, Elizbeth Reyes, and Kenneth Cubero. Dear brother of Jose, Yolanda, Rosa Maria, Silvia, Evelyn, Jenniffer, and Luis Soto. Further survived by brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, other relatives, friends, and his beloved pet Snowball.

Visitation Monday, September 25, 2023, at Heritage Funeral Home 4800 South 84th Street, Greenfield, WI 53228 from 4:00 – 6:30 PM. Funeral Service 6:30 PM.

Family and friends will gather at 9:00 AM, Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the funeral home before processing to Forest Home Cemetery for the burial.

Please click here to view Pablo’s Life Story Video Tribute