John Earl ‘Jackie’ Hopkins

Funeral service for the late John Earl ‘Jackie’ Hopkins, 72, Louisdale, was held February 2 in St. Louis Parish, Louisdale, with Father Antolin Asor officiating. Burial will be in St. Louis Parish Cemetery at a later date. Mr. Hopkins died January 27, 2019, in Strait Richmond Hospital, Evanston. Born February 28, 1946, in Port Hawkesbury, he was raised in Kempt Road by his adoptive mother, the late Margaret MacEachern Hopkins (Andrew). He received his Bachelor of Education from St. Francis Xavier University in 1972 and spent his entire career educating the children of Richmond County. He was highly respected in the teaching community. Outside of his career, he devoted countless hours volunteering in his community. He was a long-standing member of the Louisdale Lions Club, where he served two terms as president. He was also a life-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 47, where he served as president for two terms and, most recently, became Zone 3 Commander for the Cape Breton Region. He also served on the board of directors for Telile community television. He had a natural talent for music and played several instruments by ear. He was an athlete and enjoyed many sports. In his younger years, he enjoyed hockey and baseball. He also enjoyed curling, bowling and was an avid golfer, spending most of his free time on the course during the golfing season. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sylvia (Marchand) Hopkins, Louisdale; four daughters, Rhonda Gerrior (Charlie), Irish Vale; Rachel Martell (David), Middle Sackville; Shauna Sampson (Brent), Shannon McNamara, both of Louisdale; seven grandchildren, Meaghan Colford (Ben), Jacob Martell, Brady Gerrior, Taylor Sampson, Riley Parker, Spencer McNamara, Olivia McNamara; great-grandchild, Landon Colford; three siblings, Murleen Marchbank, Kevin Hopkins (Mavis), both of Sarnia, Ontario; Ida Hutt, Truro; eight biological siblings, who he met later in life, Bert McKay (Diane), Charles McKay (Linda), Darcy McKay, Calvin McKay (Micheline), Buhay McKeaevney (Danny), Cathy Aucoin (Andre), Johnny McKay, Jimmy McKay. He was predeceased by his biological parents, Calvin and Margaret (Embree) McKay; granddaughter, Shelby Gerrior; six siblings, Ella Hopkins (Lala), John Henry Hopkins, Kay Gillan, Sadie Hopkins, Beatrice Savage, Mae Keefe. Memorial donations may be made to the Shelby Shines OnActs of Kindness Society. Online condolences: www.chboudreau.com