Peter B. Hopkins

Looks like I have finally wandered off the path for good, but don’t worry, I have Uncas by my side up here and the sound of Milliken Brook still flowing past BuckTales Lodge in my heart.  That little patch of serenity I shared with Trish and Loxley was heaven on earth.  We had it all – hummingbirds, grossbeaks, blue jays, finches and those darn grackles; ducks, otters and turtles in the pond with the trout; moose, deer, fox, bear and bobcats and the occasional turkey tiptoeing past like they owned the place; and dear friends and family who made it richer than any maple syrup I ever tapped from my many trees.  Trust me – I tapped a lot of trees!  Sweet stuff, just like the life I have got to live.

I was born in Chippawa, Ontario to the most amazing parents, John B. Hopkins (1919-2001) and Florence A. Hopkins (Bacon) (1920-2015).  My aunt, Evelyn A. Bacon (1924-2017) was a world traveler who brought the stories to me and taught me to shed my inhibitions more than a few times at the family cottage in Muskoka.  Memories are many that I shared with my brothers, John B. Hopkins (Anne), Niagara on the Lake and Geoffrey M. Hopkins (Pat Grayley) Willoughby.

A Chippawa childhood was idyllic.  Hunting rabbits with my grandfather, swimming in the creek.  So many special memories of spending time with my lifelong friends; Lawrence Henderson, Mike Scharing, William (Buzz) Scott, Dennis Brunning and so many others.  Cross Canada road trips with Peter Brunning decidedly transitioned me from youth to man.  Thanks for all the great memories, Peter!

My first and only teaching job was in Cape Breton, NS where I met and became lifelong friends with two incredibly special people.  I don’t know how to say it more clearly than "I love you Butch Collins"! Lorraine Smith, you are a soul mate.  You are the grounding force I have leaned on so many times.   Thank you for being my friend and confidant.

I have had a blessed life.  From loving parents, supportive and nurturing grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors and my Coffee Group buddies who have shared many a yarn with me; Gary Scott, Pat Beausoleil, Randy DiPaolo, Gary Island, Phil Holmes, Guy White, Scott Nicholson and so many more.  I am proud to call you friends.  My Sommerville friends have stood beside me through hurricanes, floods, hunting escapades and fishing adventures, not to mention the buggy rides.  I have learned so much about Campobello, I feel I know all the residents by nickname – thank you L Peter Maybe (1956-2002).  Life at camp would not have been the same without Joey Matthews, Kerry Newman, Dave Thatcher, Doug Harrison, Matthew Maybe, John and Joyce McFarlane, Mark Searls, Justin Searls, Rick and Fran Winters, Kenny and Sharon Stevens, Colin Cahill and so many others.  You encouraged the "Hermit on the Hill" to get out of the cave.  You have rounded out my life with adventures, camaraderie, laughs, and just being there for me.

Thank you to Carolyn Hopkins (1952-2024) for our three beautiful children.  No father is perfect and I count myself as a parent who might have been better.  I love you all with all my heart and cherish the memories of your births, childhood, and adulthood.  I am again seeing the beauty of childhood through the eyes of my granddaughters, Finlay Anne and Emery Allison.

To Anne Hopkins (Garett Fraser) of Barrhaven, ON; my first-born daughter, the trailblazer of the Hopkins children and a gift from the angels.  I will always remember the days bundling you up as an infant and going out to the woods with you and your mother to cross country ski, or to cut down a tree for your first Christmas.  You are strong, resilient and authentic and grew into a wonderful adult that I could hold interesting conversations with.  We didn’t relate in our love of hunting, fishing or the outdoors, but our similarities lie in our political views, our love of proper spelling and grammar and in great food.   I will remember our many trips back and forth to Niagara Falls and Lake Rosseau.  Teaching you to fish and swim from the dock, roadside picnics, driving lessons in my Volkswagen, watching you as a tiny figure skater and many sunset boat rides.  Thank you for introducing me to Portuguese pastries over the last few months, they really made my days.  You were always close to my heart even when we were distant in relationship and location.  You are my Sunshine and I will be with you in all your future travels.

To Peter A. Hopkins (Mandi Anderson) of Westerose, AB; I will always remember you as that boy that helped me build pine bough fires, walked in the woods with me and called me from the road and talked for hours.  The trips to Montreal for skiing and HABS games are some of my favorite memories.   The immeasurable hours spent in the rinks watching you shoot the puck around was time well spent.  I have been so proud of you throughout your life.  My hope is for you to be at peace with your heart and know that I am at peace with the love we had as father and son.

To Allison C. Hopkins (Nicole Gilmore) of Hammond, ON;  Allie, you are the apple of this dad’s eye.  From the bright smile you had as a baby and toddler with pigtails to the endless hours stuck in airports and the many dips in a cold stream as we made our way back and forth to Niagara singing Beatles songs at the top of our lungs.  The hours we spent together in the woods and working beside each other and the opportunities I had to support you through adulthood offered me the time to really get to know you and love you for the wonderful person, mother, and daughter you have become.  I am forever in your memories and your heart, so lean on me when you need to.

To Finlay; I love you and have had so much joy watching you grow from that toddler dancing to Baby Shark to the trampoline bouncing, basketball playing, powerhouse you are today.  I will forever be with you as your "Hoppy" in your memories.

To Emery; I love you and am amazed every day by your curiosity, sparkle in your eye and the love you have for the little critters of the world.  I will forever be with you as your "Hoppy" in your memories.

To my step kids;  Zane Clossey (Elsa Garza) of Austin, TX, and Jena Clossey (Alex Gallant) of St. Stephen, NB: you are the blessing I never knew I was missing.  Watching you both grow into the wonderful and caring adults you are has been an amazing journey.  It was my great pleasure to share trips to Niagara and Ottawa.  Thank you both for being there for me.  Alex, you invigorated my ambition for hunting and fishing and you rounded out the family.  Just a bit of advice that I got from The Red Green Show: "I am a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess."

Nearly 30 years ago, I found my life partner; Patricia Holmes.  We have shared love, respect and a partnership.  From late night talks, raising Loxley and sitting in tree stands.  I love you more.  Yes, I know, you meant it first.  You could always guess what I was thinking.  Do you have a quarter?  You have been beside me, worked beside me and have been there through the healthy days and unfortunately, the sick days.  Until we meet again, my love, I will be watching over you.

Don’t worry about me.  I’ve found a good patch of sunlight.  You will spot me on the ripples of water on the Magaguadavic and the Bay of Fundy, in the rustle of the leaves in the trees and in the memories, we have all shared.  I will be around.

My sincere thanks go to the staff of the Charlotte County Hospital.  Despite circumstances, I enjoyed the conversations we have had and I truly felt like I was travelling the world right from my bed.  The compassion and care that you all provided has touched both my heart and those of my family and friends as well.  Please continue the excellent work that you do.

A celebration of life will be hosted by the family at The S.O. Mehan and Son Funeral Home Ltd, 23 Main Street, St. Stephen NB, Friday, July 25, 2025, from 6pm to 8pm.

For those who wish, donations can be made to Charlotte County Cancer. Condolences may be sent to the family online at mehanfuneralhome.ca