WATERBORO, Maine – Richard F. Hopkins formerly of 381 High Street in Somersworth, passed away peacefully at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, ME on November 22, 2018 surrounded by his loving family after a long illness at the tender age of 92. He was born on July 16, 1926 in Somersworth to Robert "Harry" Hopkins and Edith M. (Blaisdell) Hopkins who predeceased him.
Richard was raised in Somersworth and graduated from Somersworth High School. After graduation, he went to work for Somersworth Shoe and learned the trade of pattern making. He plied this trade in several companies including Somersworth Shoe, Alrose Shoe in Exeter and finally at Nike in Exeter, Saco, ME and Portland, OR.
He married the love of his life, Lance Demers, on July 29, 1950 and they shared nearly 65 years of marriage together until her passing in 2015. He and his wife traveled extensively throughout his life. They visited destinations such as Aruba, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Hawaii and Taiwan. They also spent 17 years as snowbirds splitting time between Somersworth and Zephyrhills, FL. This was special time for them as they were able to play golf and visit the area attractions. Their favorite was Sea World. They were also able to spend a lot of special time with Lance's sister and her husband, Vi & Nel Tanguay.
He was the consummate craftsman who worked with a variety of materials throughout his life. If you gave him leather, he'd give you an elegant shoe. If you gave him wood, he'd give you piece of fine furniture. And if you gave him stained glass, he'd give you a beautiful lamp or sun-catcher.
He was ever devoted to his dear Lance until her passing caring for her during her last years while she slowly slipped away. In addition to his parents and his loving wife, he was also predeceased by all 8 brothers and sisters and their spouses along with all of his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law from Lance's side of the family. He was truly the last of a generation.
He is survived by his sons Wayne R. (Marie) Hopkins of Lebanon, ME and Scott A. (Cindy) Hopkins of Waterboro, ME. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren Justin, Jon, Patrick, Steven, Timothy, Andrew, Sarah & Ian and his nine great-grandchildren Corbin, Shawn, Olivia, Byron, Annabel-Rose, Jackson, Aubrey-Grace, Alexander and Liam.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at Holy Trinity Church, St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, 404 High Street, Somersworth NH. There will be a visitation period beginning at 10 AM in the church chapel followed by a funeral mass at 11 AM. Burial will be at the Holy Trinity Cemetery in Somersworth immediately following the mass
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Marilyn, Wendy, Brenda, Janis and all the other great people at the Sam Cohen Center in Biddeford, ME for their care and companionship over Richard's last year. They also wish to express a special thank you to Karen Ward from In-Home Senior Services for her special care of Richard at home in his final months. They would like to thank the people at Hospice of Southern Maine especially to Julie Gilbert for all her help in Richard's final days. And finally, they wish to thank the wonderful staff at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, ME for their care and compassion in dad's final hours.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the Sam Cohen Center in Biddeford, ME or to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, ME. Friends may visit with Richards family on Tuesday November 27 from10-11am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am both at St.Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Holy Trinity Church 404 High Street Somersworth NH. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.bernierfuneralhome.net .Care for the Hopkins family has been entrusted to the Bernier Funeral Home.