James Thomas Hopkins

HOPKINS - James Thomas, "Big Hoppy", died on May 5, 2015. He was married to June Connelly for 67 years, the father of eight children, 21 grandchildren on earth and 1 in Heaven, and 4 great grandchildren. FDNY retired. He served in Ladder Co. 112, Rescue 2 and Ladder Co. 150 from 1959-1987. He spent most of the infamous FDNY "war years" as a firefighter in Rescue 2 operating at The Constellation Shipfire, the Brooklyn Plane Crash and the Tragic 23rd Street Fire, at which 12 firefighters died when the floor collapsed. It was his company that breached the concrete to locate the victims. He was an EMT at Mary Immaculate Hospital. He was also a member of Local 8 of the Roofers Union beginning his career in 1948 and holding a 35 year Gold Card and served a team as Sgt. at Arms. He worked as a commercial roofer and water-proofer throughout the NYC metropolitan area. He did waterproofing work during the construction of the Verrazano Bridge and was foreman of the crew that installed the antenna on top of the Empire State Building. A highly respected FF and a tough man, yet a faithful and dutiful husband and father, and a Catholic gentleman to the core. Arrangements entrusted to Franklin Funeral Home, 42 New Hyde Park Road, Franklin Square, NY 11010. Visitation Thursday 2-4 & 7-9PM. Funeral Friday Church of Saint Anne, 35 Dartmouth St., Garden City, NY 11530. Interment Locust Valley Cemetery.