Philip G. "Hop" Hopkins

Preston - Philip G. Hopkins, 88, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013, at 3:45 a.m., surrounded by his family.

He is now in the company of family members who have predeceased him, including his eldest son, Reverend Philip F. Hopkins and grandson, Matthew Schroeder. Philip, known as "Hop" to his friends, was born on May 15, 1925 to Philip F. and Hattie V. Hopkins. He grew up in Windham Center and graduated from Windham schools.

After graduating, he worked at the American Thread Mill in Willimantic until he joined the Army in 1943. A combat veteran of World War II, Philip served in numerous campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge. Recently, U.S. Representative Joseph Courtney awarded Philip a series of medals due him for his wartime service. When asked how he felt having an award ceremony in his honor, Philip replied in the way he lived his life, simply and humbly, by saying "I can't believe this is for me, I did not do this for me, I did it for my country."

After leaving the military, Philip met the love of his life, Clara Johnson. Through 65 years of marriage the two of them demonstrated love, faith, strength and loyalty, raising eight children along the way. Philip began working at the King Seeley Thermos Company in Taftville, where he remained a loyal employee for over 40 years. Although the workweeks were long (a minimum of six days) and excess money was short, Philip and Clara took their large family on vacations that included Vermont, New Hampshire and New York. The memories of those vacations include Clara navigating with a road map while Philip drove as well as the kids sleeping doubled up in twin beds, head to foot.

After their children were grown, Philip and Clara traveled extensively with friends on motorcycle trips that included Bar Harbor, Maine and New Brunswick, Canada. They also enjoyed family vacations that involved caravans of vehicles and more than 20 people, to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Philip and Clara loved working around their home. Their labor of love included gardening and canning vegetables.

Philip is survived by Clara; and sons, Dwight Eden (Elizabeth Baron), Douglas Lynn (Janet Schulz), Robin Allen (Brenda DeBartolo), Jon Scot and Philip Frederick's widow, Nancy Hopkins (Rhenik); daughters, Jean Leslie Craig (John), Lois Clara Schroeder (Matthew) and Susan Louise Hopkins-Terrell (David). Philip has 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Philip was a man of faith who loved his church and was totally dedicated to his family. Philip loved children and had a huge soft spot for babies. In the final chapter of his life, Philip was cared for by two of his granddaughters, Heather Gerl (Schroeder) and Hillary Schroeder.

He spent the last five months of his life at Greentree Manor in Waterford. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the wonderful care he received there. Additionally, the family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to Michael Lombardo and the staff at Beacon Hospice that made this final chapter of Philip's life wonderful.

At 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12, a funeral service celebrating a life well lived, will be held at the Preston City Congregational Church in Preston City, where Philip previously served as a deacon. There will be no calling hours. The burial will be private (due to the close confines of the cemetery), with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes contributions be made to Beacon Hospice of Mystic.

For online condolences go to www.gagnepiechowski.com