Donald K. Hopkins

GORHAM — Donald N. “Hoppy” Hopkins, 70, passed away, surrounded by family and friends, at Maine Medical Center on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014.

Hoppy was born on Sept. 3, 1943, to Viola Lunetta (Meserve) Hopkins and Norris S. Hopkins. Hoppy lived in Gorham his whole life, first venturing out of Maine by flying to Florida when he was 15 to help Fred Daigle drive a potato truck back.

He graduated from Gorham High School in 1961 and Maine Vocational-Technical Institute (now Southern Maine Community College) in 1964.

He worked with his father-in-law, Harry Getchell, building houses and with Ralph Willis drilling and blasting. He also did a few side jobs with his friend, Pete Herrick, where they sometimes lost their shirt.

Hoppy worked at Southworth Machine Co., Morong Brothers, then for himself as Hoppy’s VW Service. After 30 years of repairing VWs, he did carpentry work with his son, Daniel.

He loved his tractors and other machines. Hoppy spent many happy hours fishing on Chamberlain Lake in the spring. He also loved hunting and spending time with his children, Norene, Donny and Danny.

There were many moose hunts which were fun for him and all who went along. He loved blueberries from Ron and Judy Leonhardt. He appreciated all the electrical work that Wayne Willette did and the carpentry work done by Rick Johnson and Bill Royall. He was happy to have great neighbors.

Hoppy could fabricate most anything from steel. He built a portable sawmill with help from Olin Irish. They called it Do and Redo. Cliff Barnes spent many days helping Hoppy run his sawmill. He knew just about everything about Volkswagens and mechanical things in general.

He was a great storyteller. His wife called him a Tom Sawyer because people did things for him just because it was him, but of course he had earned it because we were all indebted to him for some kindness or another.

If your name has not been included, please know that everyone that Hoppy knew enriched his life as well. Many young children took him for Santa Claus. There were few places he could go and not see someone who knew him.

He was predeceased by all his brothers and sisters Arlene Meserve Meggison, Frances Van Dusen, Stanley Hopkins, Joe Hopkins and Ronald Hopkins; and also two nephews.

He is survived by his wife, Priscilla Hopkins; his ex-wife, Karen Baillargeon; children, Norene Hopkins of Raymond, Donald Hopkins Jr. of Troy, N.Y. and Daniel Hopkins of Gorham; five grandchildren and three great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In memory of Hoppy, teach a child to fish and/or hunt.

A potluck open house will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the United Church of Christ at North Gorham, 4 Standish Neck Road, Gorham from 12 to 4 p.m. If able, bring your favorite dish to share. Arrangements by Dolby Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com