Obituary for Foster Hopkins
LINCOLN – Foster “Hoppy” H. Hopkins of Lincoln, Maine, peacefully died on February 11, 2020, surrounded by his wife, Jo, and daughter, Colleen, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Hoppy was born in Somerville, Massachusetts, on October 13, 1928, to Dora (née Shute) and LaForest Cony Hopkins. During his childhood, he developed an early love for music. His proudest accomplishment was becoming a soloist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brookline, Massachusetts, when he was teenager. In 1968, Hoppy moved his family to Plymouth, Maine, which brought him nearer to his family’s roots.
Hoppy’s first job was cutting and wrapping pies as a teenager, but he quickly became a jack of all trades. Before he retired in 2007 at the age of 78, Hoppy worked as a Greyhound bus driver, Pinkerton guard, truck driver, furniture deliveryman, college cafeteria worker, and many other jobs. His favorite job was his last one. He served as the security supervisor for Vescom at Champion Paper Mill.
Hoppy took work wherever he could to put food on the table for his large family. Hoppy is survived by three children, Karin Dickson, Donna Phillips, and Colleen Loveless, and predeceased by one son, Wayne R. Hopkins. He is survived by five stepchildren, Jack May, Adam Phinney, as well as Chad, Lori, and Robert Earl West; seven grandchildren, Kelly Perry, Kiley Williams, Megan May, Justin May, Chaz Phillips, Nick Danby, and Sarah Danby. Hoppy also had many great-grandchildren. But so many more considered him “dad” and “family.” When other children in the neighborhood did not have any Christmas presents, Hoppy became their “Santa.”
Hoppy was the quintessential American gentleman. He passed on his kindness, compassion, honesty, and work ethic to his family and friends. People admired how he dressed impeccably with sweater vests and Greek fishing caps. Hoppy’s hobbies included old cars (particularly Ford, he wouldn’t be caught dead in a Chevy), creating stained glass, visiting Walt Disney World and riding the Tower of Terror (until he was 80), and dedicating an entire room in his house to building a miniature city with electric trains. His imagination and creativity were an inspiration to all.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Josephine Burrill Hopkins, who became a magnificent life partner and cared for him beyond imagination. The family would also like to thank CHCS Hospice for making his final days comfortable.
At his request, there will be no funeral service. Spring graveside committal services will be held at the Sawyer Cemetery in Plymouth, Maine. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 383 US Route One #2C, Scarborough, ME 04074.
Hoppy was born in Somerville, Massachusetts, on October 13, 1928, to Dora (née Shute) and LaForest Cony Hopkins. During his childhood, he developed an early love for music. His proudest accomplishment was becoming a soloist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brookline, Massachusetts, when he was teenager. In 1968, Hoppy moved his family to Plymouth, Maine, which brought him nearer to his family’s roots.
Hoppy’s first job was cutting and wrapping pies as a teenager, but he quickly became a jack of all trades. Before he retired in 2007 at the age of 78, Hoppy worked as a Greyhound bus driver, Pinkerton guard, truck driver, furniture deliveryman, college cafeteria worker, and many other jobs. His favorite job was his last one. He served as the security supervisor for Vescom at Champion Paper Mill.
Hoppy took work wherever he could to put food on the table for his large family. Hoppy is survived by three children, Karin Dickson, Donna Phillips, and Colleen Loveless, and predeceased by one son, Wayne R. Hopkins. He is survived by five stepchildren, Jack May, Adam Phinney, as well as Chad, Lori, and Robert Earl West; seven grandchildren, Kelly Perry, Kiley Williams, Megan May, Justin May, Chaz Phillips, Nick Danby, and Sarah Danby. Hoppy also had many great-grandchildren. But so many more considered him “dad” and “family.” When other children in the neighborhood did not have any Christmas presents, Hoppy became their “Santa.”
Hoppy was the quintessential American gentleman. He passed on his kindness, compassion, honesty, and work ethic to his family and friends. People admired how he dressed impeccably with sweater vests and Greek fishing caps. Hoppy’s hobbies included old cars (particularly Ford, he wouldn’t be caught dead in a Chevy), creating stained glass, visiting Walt Disney World and riding the Tower of Terror (until he was 80), and dedicating an entire room in his house to building a miniature city with electric trains. His imagination and creativity were an inspiration to all.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Josephine Burrill Hopkins, who became a magnificent life partner and cared for him beyond imagination. The family would also like to thank CHCS Hospice for making his final days comfortable.
At his request, there will be no funeral service. Spring graveside committal services will be held at the Sawyer Cemetery in Plymouth, Maine. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 383 US Route One #2C, Scarborough, ME 04074.