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John Fletcher Hopkins
September 7, 1948 – April 7, 2025
John Fletcher Hopkins passed peacefully from this life to eternity, on April 7, 2025, with his loving wife Laurie at his side, and under the tender and compassionate care of the staff at Hospice SENB- Albert House, in Moncton, NB.
Born in Abney, PEI, John was the second eldest boy in a large family. Born in a time when young people left school early to work, he worked a variety of jobs from a young age. As a young man he married, started his family, and operated his own fishing fleet; fishing lobsters, scallops and groundfish. He advocated passionately for the fishery and those in it, serving at one point as President of the PEI Fisherman’s Association. In time he answered the call to ministry, completed upgrading at UPEI and then studied at McGill University and Presbyterian College. He served as a Presbyterian Pastor in Quebec, Cape Breton and New Brunswick over the next 10 years. Once again, he felt the lure of education, going back to school for a 2-year Social Services program. He married Laurie, his wife of 27 years, and began his new career of 20 years at Metro Community Housing Association in Halifax, NS. He served as a Case Manager, supporting those living with Mental Illness, as they sought to live fulfilling and independent lives in the community. He often said that all his other career choices prepared him for, and pointed him to, this work which he loved. Over the years John was delighted to watch his children grow and begin families of their own – grandchildren and great-grandchildren for him to love. He was exceptionally proud of his two sons and his daughter and cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. John continued to serve faithfully in his Church communities, in a variety of roles. He got the most joy from ushering, which gave him the opportunity to meet, chat with and make welcome, everyone who came through the doors of the church. After retirement, he spent time on his motorcycle, camping in the camper van, and golfing. After his move to Moncton in 2019, he continued with his golf and became an avid bicycler, exploring many of the beautiful trails in the Moncton area. John loved the outdoors, being active, watching golf and football, enjoying a nice cruise to warm and sunny places, singing and playing guitar and mandolin, and spending time with those he loved. He had an amazing sense of humour, could talk intelligently about just about anything and loved words. Over the years he developed some very close friends who he loved just like family.
John is survived by and will be dearly missed by his wife Laurie (Fraser); children Micheal (Virpi), Jason (Treeva) and Lindsay; first wife Rhonda Shepard (Bernley); Grandchildren Rebecca, Kelsie (Patrick), Samuel (Mila), Jessica, Sarah, Daniel, Emily and Lincoln; great-grandchildren Emmett, Rowan, Emerson, Resse, Evelyn, and Noel; step-father Leonard; siblings Dianne, Doreen, Lorna, David, Ken, Gary, Marie and George; Uncle Ron Harris and Aunt Anne Bell, many nieces and nephews and other extended family and close friends. John was pre-deceased by his mother Marion Young (Hopkins), his Father John Harris, his brother George Hopkins, a son in infancy (John Kenneth), and various other extended family members.
Celebration of Life will take place at 11 am on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Passage-Chartersville Funeral Co-operative 363 rue Amirault St, Dieppe, NB. Reception to follow. Burial at a later date.
Donations may be made to Hospice SENB at: https://hospicesenb.ca/get-involved/donate/
The family invites you to sign a book of condolences at: www.funerairepassagefuneral.ca.
Arrangements under the professional care of Passage Funeral Cooperative and Cremation Center.
Laurie, I am so sorry to see this. I know you two were one of those couples who really and truly loved each other. Sending hugs and prayers for you and your family in this difficult time. Take care
Laurie,
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers will continue for you and the extended family.
John was a wonderful man who truly loved His Saviour and his beloved family.
Many a times we have thought about and prayed for you & John since you moved to New Brunswick and he subsequently became ill.
Be assured of God’s presence with you now as He covers you with His peace and walks with you through this difficult journey.
Paul & Gayle Simpson
Bedford, NS
Laurie, I am saddened to hear of your immense loss. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers 💔❤️
Laurie my heart and prayers are with you and John’s family and friends. May you find comfort and peace in those that surround and support you through this loss.
John was always in touched with God and always tried to help, guide and uplift others. He helped us (Andrew, Chris and myself) with the passing of Cindy. He is now an ANGEL looking over us all.
Laurie: I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I remember working with him in the ushering department at Full Gospel Church. He was so pleasant and friendly! Sending you much love and prayers at this very difficult time. .
Laurie and family: My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Always remember, we will see our loved ones again in our Heavenly home. Never to part again. Love you.
Laurie, I am so sorry for your loss. So thankful for having had the chance to get to know John. You truly shared a beautiful love and friendship. He will be greatly missed. Praying for you and here for you in the days to come. Love you.
Laurie, so very sorry to hear about John’s passing,
We know he is in the arms of our Lord.
You are forever in my thoughts and Prayers
Love and Miss your smiling face
Blessings & 🙏.. Cathy Young💕❤️
Laurie…..sending my love and prayers for you and John’s family at this time. I know the last couple of years have been a difficult journey, one which both you and John faced with deep faith and true grace and now his battle is finished . I cherish all our memories of our times together, especially John’s sense of humour, and all the laughter we shared together. May you find strength and comfort as you lean upon our Heavenly Father in the days ahead. Always in my prayers and in my heart.
Much love, Flo and family.
Carol and I send our sincere condolences to Laurie and family. We have fond memories of John while he was attending Full Gospel Church. He served as a Deacon for a number of years and sang in our annual Christmas cantata. We will be praying for each one of the family during this difficult time
I worked with John at Metro Community Housing Association. I always found him to be a man of kindness and integrity. He thought of others and had a wonderful sense of humour. I believed him to be a truly good man. He spoke of his family often, always with love. I bought his used treadmill many years ago and his big worry was it would die shortly after I bought it. It didn’t 🥰
Take care.
So very sorry Laurie that you have such a loss in your life. I always loved seeing your post of all your adventures. You and your family are in my prayers.
Thinking of you Laurie at this time….. Jan and I have many precious memories of spending evenings after church with you and John and swapping stories over coffee. We often speak of singing the doxology in the parking lot before leaving for home. Know that we uplift you in prayer and send our love and hugs.
Our heartfelt condolences to you Laurie from both Mechelle and I. John was always an encourager and supporter to me in church even though we were just getting to know each other. During the times he and I sang in the choir at FGC, (doing our best), and he’d always give an encouraging word … lets just do our best …LOL…. He loved talking about the goodness of God and never shied away from testifying what God has done for him. He was an easy man to love and always had that beaming smile. I know that in heaven he is shouting the praises of the Lord. It will be an amazing reunion when we see him again as we all rejoice in God’s presence.
So sorry to hear of John’s passing My thoughts and prayers are with you Laurie and all the extended family
Laurie I’m so heartbroken for you. John was such an amazing person. I’m praying for your peace.
Jason and Family,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Please know that my love, thoughts and prayers are with you, my friend.
May the Lord bless your Dad and give him eternal peace and love.
God Bless.
Hello Laurie, my husband Bruce worked with John a Metro Community Housing. Every time I met John he was so kind. I know Bruce considered him a friend and thought highly of him. I am so sorry for your loss and am thinking of you at this time.
Laurie:
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. There are no words for a time like this. May you take comfort in your memories.
Laurie,
I am so sorry for your loss. John was such a special person.My memories are all of him with that big smile and his love and devotion to you matched by no other. My heart is with you always.
Please accept my condolences for your loss of John. I was a Colleague of his on the front line at MCHA over many years. He was a strong and skilled advocate for those who were suffering. He was always energetic and ran to the work of Case Management. May God rest his Soul. All the best to his family.
Laurie, so sorry to hear the news of John’s passing. May you find strength and comfort in presence of our loving Saviour as you navigate this difficult journey.
Sincere condolences to all of Johnny`s family.
Laurie, I’m so sorry for your loss.
Uncle Johnny was such an amazing man, I loved him very much, his jokes, stories and sense of humor were priceless but more than that his love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was what I loved the most. He was an inspiration and encouragement to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He lived his life knowing that we only die once and his faith displayed that he now walks with Jesus for eternity 🙏
I love you uncle Johnny, enjoy His rest
God bless you Laurie, you are in my prayers
Laurie, we are so sorry to hear of John’s passing! We are praying for our Heavenly Father to saturate you with His peace and comfort and love as you go through this very difficult time. Sending our deepest condolences!
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. May the Lord give you strength and comfort you as you go through this very difficult time!
John was a colleague, a mentor and most importantly an amazing friend to me over the years, lots of great ‘golfing laughs’. John had a plaque on his desk that stated ‘Life is too short to eat bread you don’t like’. John lived life to the fullest and enriched the lives that he came in contact with him. Even though we lost contact over the last several years I hurt deeply over his passing. Another quote we shared is ‘Life is Short but sweet for certain’. Love and peace to all of you.
Laurie sending my condolences to you and the family. So sad to hear of John’s passing, he’s at home now with his heavenly Father.
May God comfort you and surround you with his peace.
Dearest Laurie,
My heart is aching for you but I am happy that you and John had more than twenty years of love and happiness together. Your faith and the many beautiful memories you have of John and you together will sustain you during this very difficult time. If you are home this summer, drop in to see me. Sending you love and hugs and holding you in my heart,
Donalda
Hi Laurie, sorry to hear of Johns passing. I will never forget what great people you were. John and I had many conversations about the gospel and the word of God. Not agreeing on everything but agreeing to disagree. I love you both with love only God can give. I am sure he will be missed. My deepest heartfelt condolences to you and the rest of the family. Rest in peace my brother.
Dave Andrews
Dear Laurie, Michael, Jason, and Lindsay,
I met John on his first day at Metro Community Housing Association; we were colleagues until my last day in June 2010. John was an active member of our union local, CUPE 2305, both as a steward and committee member. I don’t recall John ever missing a membership meeting. Over the years we enjoyed many intimate conversations about a myriad of topics, and would come to resolve a conflict that might otherwise have ended our friendship. I can still hear John’s voice on the phone inviting me to join him for tea or hot milk on a Saturday morning.
I believe the last time I saw John was at the funeral for another colleague in 2016. I am happy to read that his retirement years were active and full.
Wishing you peace and comfort during these difficult days as you learn to navigate life without John, your spouse and father.
Sincerely,
Marianne Welsh
Laurie, Michael, Jason, and Lindsay,
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing, I hope that you are all doing as well as possible during these difficult days.
I had the pleasure of working with John at MCHA for many years. Whether it was a minor matter or a serious difficulty John was ready and willing to help solve the matter. More importantly John was not finished the task until he could bring comfort and usually a smile to those affected. Thus, John was much appreciated by his clients and colleagues alike. While John was always a very active person, I think his one of favorite pastimes was telling stories about his family; Laurie, kids and grandkids. He couldn’t get through these stories without a loving smile and chuckle. You all brought great joy to his heart.
Take care of each other.
Beautiful are the death of the Saints in the eyes of the Lord 🌹♥️🌹may john RIP and RIG..May the God of all comfort Satisfy you Laurie and the family with His unfailing love ❤️