STANDISH- Richard D. Hopkins, age 81, passed away on Oct. 16, 2024.
Richard was born in 1943 to a farm family. His parents ran a poultry farm in Rochester NH, with thousands of chickens running around. In his later years he would tell stories about the farm work. He’d say, “I’d be just as happy if he never saw another live chicken.”
He went to UNH and started off as a forestry major. Even in his later years he could look at just about any tree and identify it, even the Latin name. He used to talk about two summer internships he had outdoors. The first in the White Mountains clearing trees from scenic viewpoints. The second in Montana which he recalled as the wettest summer they had in many years. After that wet Montana summer, he wanted an inside job, changing his major to economics. He was a fraternity brother of Alpha Gamma Rho at UNH. After entering the working world, he completed his Master’s in Business Administration, also at UNH.
Richard’s first job was working for Chiquita Banana, and he had an office in the Prudential tower of Boston. Those who knew him in later years might recall him putting Chiquita stickers on his hat ?. Now you know why. He also worked at Gorton’s of Gloucester, and his kids have great memories of times in Gloucester and Crane Beach in Ipswich. He spent most of his working life in the field of marketing research for a company named The SAMI Group. This job had him living in the NYC area, and he would tell stories of the farm boy from New Hampshire adjusting to the big city. SAMI also took him to Chicago for a period of time as well. Vacation time was often spent back at the farm in NH with his kids. All of us have great memories of the farm.
When it was time to retire, he moved to New England to be closer to his kids, settling in Maine.
Richard will be remembered as a caring and jovial guy. He liked to stir the pot and laugh, poking fun with waitresses and other service professionals. As he got older, he liked to put flowers in his hat. People would often comment on the flowers and he liked that. Whether it was the receptionist at a doctor appointment or the employees at his favorite restaurant, Percy’s Table, he always made friends along the way with his flowers.
Richard had a big sweet tooth and he also liked to share his candy. He always had a tootsie roll or a caramel cream in his pocket. If you happened to be his server at a restaurant you were likely to get a couple for yourself. He liked the smiles that it would bring, especially on the face of a new waitress.
Richard is survived by his son Tom and wife Tina of Saco. His daughter Carole of Houston TX. His brother Paul and Evelyn of Rochester NH. His two adult granddaughters Kayla and Rachel Hopkins of Biddeford and South Portland, respectively.
There will be a gathering at Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish on Thursday November 14th from 3-5 PM.
Please feel free to share any story you have about Richard. Tom plans to relate a funny recent story himself. For those wishing to hang out longer some of us will slide over to The Sugar Shack Café, 185 Main St Cornish ME around 5PM.
** In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation to a favorite dog rescue, Grammy Rose Dog Rescue & Sanctuary (https://grammyrose.org/)”
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com