STANDISH- Frederick Vernon Hopkins, age 71, passed away on October 19, 2023, in the woods on his property, due to a medical emergency. He was born in Rockland, Maine on December 16, 1951. His parents were Ralph E. Hopkins Sr. And Katherine Jordan Hopkins. He grew up in Rockland with three brothers, John, Ralph Jr., and Mark, and one sister Karen. He spent lots of time as a youngster and young adult at his family’s cottage on Lake Pemaquid. He would boast of how he and his siblings had their own boats at an early age, and all enjoyed having fun motoring around the lake.
Fred graduated from Rockland District High School in 1970, and then went on to college for two years at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, where he shared a dorm room with two roommates, Craig Linscott and Richard Lindstrom. They remained close friends forever and more. He then transferred to USM for his final two years, where he received a bachelors degree. He began a longtime career in the grocery business as a teenager, working at Ted’s Food Center in Rockland, and eventually for Hannaford for a total of 50 years.
He married his high school sweetheart, Ann Conway. He was always called “Freddie” by her. They had two sons, Benjamin and Joshua. He was always very involved in activities with his sons, mainly basketball. He was also a coach a few times, and was very proud to take his older son’s basketball team to a finals championship in Connecticut. Fred was never one to sit around. He took courses and became a Maine Guide, as well as a realtor after that, and worked for Greg Fall at Century 21 where he eventually became a broker. He did all this while still working at Hannaford.
Later in life, he became interested in biking and took an amazing bike trip to Virginia with someone he had just met. They became very close friends after that, and took many day trips together.
Fred and his wife, Ann, had a home built in Hollis in 1978, and lived in a neighborhood that proved to be where they would discover lifelong friends. The families were inseparable. They camped together, hiked together, went skiing together, and did so many more fun activities, including so many parties, and get togethers. He and Ann hosted the annual Halloween party for many years. They couldn’t have found a better place to raise their children, as well as found the friends of a lifetime!
In 1995, Fred had a home built on Bonny Eagle Island in Standish, where they found new lasting friendships in the tiny neighborhood they lived in. It was once more the perfect place to live to continue their lives, then moving forward to finish their last chapter in life. Fred could not have enjoyed any place on earth more than being on “ The Island “. He cut a trail around the entire island for all neighbors to enjoy if they chose to. Although he was retired, he chose to undertake yet another adventure. He became a tour guide for The Scenic Route Maine Tours, and got his CDL license so he could drive the tour bus. He drove around Portland, and along the coast as far as Kennebunkport, spewing facts and dates to hold the interest of all. He truly enjoyed that job. He always love talking to anyone that would listen, whether he knew them or not. He was as good at listening as he was at talking. People loved that about him. He also loved to pin nicknames to almost everyone in the family as well as some friends. No one ever minded, except for his granddaughter, 6 year old Emmelyn, who wasn’t fond of being called “Silly Nilly”.
His most recent endeavor was learning to play pickle ball. He loved it immensely and loved the people even more. He made so many new friends there. Another joy in Fred’s life were his grandchildren, Austin, age 18, and Emmelyn, age 6. They were both the light of his life. He spent a lot of time with Austin over the past 18 years. He loved to play basketball with Austin and Austin‘s friends, to have fun, and also to show them that Grandpa could still be a competitor. With Emmelyn, he enjoyed teasing her, and playing anything she wanted to do. They would also spend time at the river so that she could catch frogs and toads. He laughed a lot and being “Grandpa” may have been his favorite role of his lifetime.
On October 19th, he fully intended to add a rustic railing to a certain spot on his island trail, when sadly that turned out to be his final day. He passed away in the woods, a place fitting for him, because he just loved living where he could enjoy the outdoors, the Saco River, and so many birds and wildlife daily. He often commented to his wife on how lucky he is, a line that his mother Katherine would often say, “aren’t we lucky!”
He is predeceased by his older brother, John Hopkins. He is survived by his wife, Ann, and his two sons, Ben and Josh. As well as his brother, Ralph, sister-in-law, Nancy Root Hopkins, his brother, Mark, sister-in-law, Donna Prescott Hopkins, Sister Karen Rackliff, her significant other Royce Butler, and his Brother-in-Law Ralph Conway and his significant other, Susan Sartelle. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, Michelle Hopkins Hallock, John “Buster” Hopkins, Sam Hopkins, Tim Hopkins, Katie Hopkins, Christina Rackliff, Meagan Rackliff, Sarah Hopkins, Lea Hopkins, Tammy Conway Denning, Nicky Conway Coy, Cory Conway, Josie Conway, and John Conway.
Fred’s family has chosen to gather as a family and spread his ashes on the Saco River, as well as Pemaquid lake. A Celebration of Life will be held at an undetermined date next summer on the island that he loved so much. Further information will be posted next spring. Online condolence messages may be submitted at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home website, www.mainefuneral.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com