LOWELL--Russell W. Hopkinson, 80 years old, a longtime resident of Lowell, died, Wednesday morning, July 9th, at Saints Memorial Medical Center. Russ was married on June 25, 1949 to Gloria D. Hopkinson, who died in 1985.
He was born in Woburn, MA, on November 25, 1922, a son of the late Isaac W. and Rose (Thibeault) Hopkinson. He graduated from Woburn High School and served as a decorated U.S. Army Private First Class in New Guinea and the Philippines, during World War II.
Upon his discharge, he was employed as an automotive machinist for Vanderven's, in Lowell, for many years, until his retirement. He was noted for his good humor, kindness to others, and generous gifts of trout to friends and neighbors. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Russ enjoyed a life-long love of fishing throughout New England and especially enjoyed Rangeley, Maine. In an article in the Lowell Sun on May 1, 1977, Owen Flynn wrote, "No one has ever doubted the fact that Lowell's Russ Hopkinson is perhaps the cleverest trout angler thereabouts."
He is survived by three daughters and one son-in-law: Deborah Hopkinson, and Andy Thomas, of Walla Walla, Washington; Bonnie Johnson, of Austin, Texas; and Janice Fairbrother, of Lowell; five grandchildren: Rebekah Hopkinson and Dimitri Thomas, of Walla Walla, WA; Jamie Johnson of Austin, TX; and Kelly and Haley Fairbrother, of Lowell, MA, as well as his longtime companion, Kathleen Clark, of Lowell.
Friends may call from 4 until 8 PM on Friday, July 11th, at the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 Nesmith Street, (Rte. 38). His Funeral Mass to be offered Saturday morning, July 12th, at 9 AM at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, Lowell. Burial in the Lowell Cemetery, Lowell.