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Wilson McKinney Hopkins Jr.

1933 - 2013

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Neary Quinn Funeral Home

39 South Street

Manasquan, New Jersey

Wilson Hopkins Obituary

Wilson McKinney Hopkins Jr.

AGE: 80 • Charlottesville, VA, formerly of NJ

Wilson McKinney Hopkins Jr., 80, of Charlottesville, VA, formerly of NJ, died Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at his home. Born in Newton, NJ, he lived in Stroudsberg, PA, Spring Lake, NJ, Ridgefield & Monroe, CT, Toms River, NJ before moving to Charlottesville, VA 1 year ago.

Mr. Hopkins graduated from the Spring Lake School in 1947 and was a graduate of Asbury Park High School "Class of 1951". He received his A.B. in Biology through the "Pre Med. Program" at Princeton University in 1955 and his M.A.L.S from Weslen University in 1970. Mr. Hopkins continued on to medical school at New York Medical School in NYC for 1 year prior to his decision to become a pilot and join the US Navy. Mr. Hopkins was a Bombadier Navigator and a Pilot in the Navy from 1957-1963. He was a science teacher at Sidwell Friends School in Washington DC for a year, Westminster School in Simsburt, CT for 4 years and Staples High School in Westport, CT for 25 years. Over the years, Mr. Hopkins taught Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Earth Science and Land Sureying. He was the founder of the Private Pilot Ground School at Staples High School and was active with the program for 25 years and worked as an F.A.A. written test examiner for 12 years.

Mr. Hopkins is survived by his wife Elsie and is also survived by 2 sons, Major Wilson McKinney Hopkins III, USMC and Major Max Heissler Hopkins, USMC. 2 daughters, Elizabeth Hopkins and Heidi Henke; his brother, Robert N. Hopkins; sister, Ann Hopkins and 8 grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Neary-Quinn Funeral Home, 39 South Street, Manasquan, NJ. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 11 am at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Brielle. For more information or to post a tribute, please visit www.neary-quinnfuneralhome.com.

Published by Asbury Park Press on May 19, 2013.
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4 Entries

The Class of 1955 has lost a most loyal and devoted friend. I just returned from our 58th Reunion and found out that Bill has died. Mike Robbins '55

Mike Robbins

June 3, 2013

My father, Wilson McKinney Hopkins Jr, was a man of honor and conviction, whose integrity guided him through his entire life. He was courageous and brave, intelligent, dedicated, and loving. I admired and respected him greatly.

My father was born 12 May 1933 in Newton, NJ; the oldest of three children. He spent his formative years in Spring Lake along the Jersey shore before attending and graduating Princeton University. My father always had a deep affection for Princeton. I have fond memories of many good times we shared together at reunions, football games, and class gatherings. Princeton was one of the two proudest accomplishments in my father's life.

A few years after his graduation from Princeton, and inspired by the movie The Bridges at Toko-Ri, my father joined the United States Navy with a dream of becoming a Naval Aviator and flying carrier jet aircraft. He earned his “Wings of Gold” and proudly wears them before you today. This was the second of his two proudest accomplishments.

My father's dedication, integrity, and courage to always do what is right and follow through on all that you start were not lost on me. I owe those traits in me to him. He never accepted anything other than the truth. He encouraged hard work and resiliency. He fostered the courage inside of me to face fear with honor and to be brave in the face of danger. I owe much of who I am today as a man and a Marine to him.

My mind is filled with wonderful memories of times shared with my father; each one makes me smile. Many of those memories are shared with those seated here today: a trip to Grant's tomb; Rae's Tavern; a sailboat trip across Long Island Sound; trips around the country in a private plane; airshows; celebrating New Years with an 1862 Springfield musket; afterburner shots; Tom Sawyer and Treasure Island; cemeteries; horror movies; and trains.

My father left me on 14 May but he will remain in my heart forever. His name, his memory, and what he stood for will live in me and continue to live in his grandsons Wilson IV and Dennis. They will know their grandfather and the man he was. They will grow to be men my father would be proud of.

I cannot be by my father's side as he is buried today, but I know that he will be by my side forever. I miss you dad and I love you. So I say, until I see you again and we make one more memory together…

Wilson McKinney Hopkins III

May 20, 2013

Within our hearts the ones we love are never really gone- In spirit and in memory, their legacy lives on. Thinking of you all in your time of sorrow -& sending you all love Ginny

May 17, 2013

Much Love & Aloha to the Entire Hopkins Family.

If I should go tomorrow
It would never be goodbye,
For I have left my heart with you,
So don't you ever cry.
The love that's deep within me,
Shall reach you from the stars,
You'll feel it from the heavens,
And it will heal the scars.

Townsend & Heather Barone - Hopkins

Heather Hopkins

May 16, 2013

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