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- Kennebec Journal (Augusta, ME)
September 10, 2016
GARDINER - Family, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also - Luke 12:34. Ernest W. Hopkins, Sr., a man devoted to the Lord, died on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, circled by his treasured family, who cared for him through his final days.
Ernie was born in Gardiner on May 29, 1932, to Benjamin and Mable Hopkins. He graduated from Gardiner High School in 1950 where he was on the track team and sang in the choir. After graduation he joined the National Guard, where he was a cook, but left the National Guard early to marry his high school sweetheart Frances A. Hamlin.
They were married for 26 years and together raised three children.
In 1955, Ernie opened and operated Hopkins Plumbing and Heating in Gardiner where he worked until his retirement in 1993. After retirement, Ernie was lucky enough to be able to spend twenty winters in Florida, where he enjoyed bowling, playing cards, walking, doing puzzles, taking lots of day trips, eating out and mostly spending time with all his "Maine" friends in Florida and making new friends too. While in Florida he was a faithful member of the Suncoast Baptist Church. Ernie's favorite place in the whole world was at his lake house on Cobbossee Lake spending time with his family. He enjoyed boating, sailing, napping, eating lobster, watching the loons, seeing the sunsets and just laughing with the family. He spent countless hours there with his children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren. We all have memories that will last a lifetime, but it will not be the same without him there.
Ernie was a lifelong member (84 years) of the Winter Street Baptist Church where he served the Lord. He was a loving devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather, unselfish, caring and hardworking. He was the epitome of what a true gentleman is and will be missed by many.
He was fortunate enough to have been married to three wonderful loving women, Frances Hamlin Hopkins, Violet Smith Hopkins and Lorraine Shepard Hopkins.
He was predeceased by his parents, brother Calvin Hopkins, sister Rita Grotton, brothers-in-law Fred Grotton, Galen Davis and David Hamlin, great granddaughter Milayla Mckeen and his loyal dog and companion Sam.
He is survived by his daughter Brenda Callahan and her husband Spence of Gardiner, daughter Teresa Moran and her husband Joel of Epsom, N.H., son Bud Hopkins and wife Laurie of Gardiner; six grandchildren, Spence Callahan, Amy Callahan, Kristen Saturley and husband Ben, Alicia Mckeen and husband Mark, Hillary Wing and husband Matt and Matt Hopkins; seven great- grandchildren; sisters-in-law Dorothy Davis, Isla Hamlin; and many nieces and nephews.
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1932 - 2016 (84 years)
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