John P. Hopkins, Sr., 85 of New Bedford died July 19, 2009 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness surrounded by his family.
He was the father of John Hopkins, Jr. and Valerie Jones, both of New Bedford, the brother of Catherine Simmons of Dartmouth, the grandfather of, Tyrone Jones, Sarah Digiovanni, Meredith Hopkins and Michele Pelletier, 5 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late John and Catherine (Hoyle) Hopkins, he lived in New Bedford where he joined the New Bedford Police Department on May 4, 1947 serving for 32 years until retiring on June 10, 1979. He lived in Largo, Fl for 28 years and had the time of his life. Mr. Hopkins was a happy go lucky person, always joking and making people smile. He returned to New Bedford in February 2008.
Mr. Hopkins served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He was the brother of the late William Hopkins, the former husband of the late Mary M. (Iacoponi) Hopkins and the father of the late Dale Pelletier.
Private arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. The family would like to thank the staff of St. Luke's Hospital and Brandon Woods of Dartmouth for their wonderful and sincere care to both John and his family. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil.