Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1963
DIED
2020
Jeffrey Hopkins Obituary
Jeffrey Keyes Hopkins aged 56, died peacefully April 24th, 2020 after a courageous, dignified battle with cancer.
Born 1963, in Stamford Connecticut, the third son of the late Richard Appleton Hopkins and Heather (Steele) Hopkins, Jeff grew up in Rowayton, Connecticut.
An avid horseback rider, Jeff's love of horses led him to finishing his high school days at Vershire School, Vermont.
He obtained his degree in hospitality at Southern New Hampshire College and went on to become the youngest GM with Uno Restaurants. It was at the San Diego location he met his soon to be wife Julie, an RN from England. The couple relocated immediately following their honeymoon in 1990 to
Missouri, where Jeff opened new restaurants for Unos.
A year later they were blessed with their daughter Erin and returned to Connecticut to be near family where they settled at the beach community in Fairfield. Dylan entered the picture not too long after and Fairfield became home for the next twenty four years.
Jeff owned and operated Mackenzies, a landmark restaurant in Old Greenwich for over 2 decades, before deciding it was time for a fresh start and began volunteering for Pegasus, a therapeutic riding program in Brewster, NY.
Jumping headfirst at this opportunity to give back, Jeff found an unbridled passion and a special gift working with the special needs community and the horses with which he facilitated connections. With his enthusiastic devotion, caring, hard work, and never ending sense of humor, Jeff quickly obtained his certification to become the head male therapeutic riding instructor at Pegasus
Jeff is survived by his wife Julie (Plummeridge), children Erin and Dylan, mother Heather, sister Debbie (Tommy) McNamara, brothers Chip (Sonja) and Jay Hopkins, nieces Carrie (Shane) Cassady, Laurie (TJ) Lichaj, Chelsea (Kenny) Pinkerton, Elshia and Tre Hopkins, great-nieces, many in-laws, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins worldwide and his extended families of Mackenzies and Pegasus.
He was predeceased by his father Richard Appleton Hopkins and brother Dave St.Clair Hopkins.
Jeff will be remembered for his infectious boy-like smile, caring, patience, kindness and never ending sense of humor. He lived by his father's mantra, "If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life," and by the Grateful Dead's line, "Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile."
A memorial will be held later in the year as current events allow.
Gifts in his memory may be made to Pegasus at http://www.pegasustr.org/donate/ or by phone, at (845)669-8235 x110.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jeffrey Hopkins
Liz Fortes
May 20, 2024
I can't believe it has been four years since Jeff's passing. I think of him all the time and miss him so much. My world is less bright without him. I have his picture in my office and it makes me smile every time I look at it. Jeff will be a presence at Pegasus always- his memory will live on through his students and the Pegasus staff who loved him so much. It was hard to select the option about how did you know Jeffrey Hopkins. I selected "work", but Jeff was both a friend and family to me.
Meg Post
May 27, 2020
So very sorry for the loss of a great guy, peace and love to family
Meg Sikes Post
Rev. Dr. J Gayle Gaymon
May 26, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Liz Fortes
May 26, 2020
Pictures in the Clouds
I was proud to be Jeffs mentor, but the truth is he was my mentor. Jeff was like no one I have ever known. He was full of positive energy and joy. It was hard to be in a bad mood around Jeff, and if you were within minutes he had you laughing. I can honestly say I laughed more in the few years I was blessed to have Jeff in my life than I had laughed in the 20 years before him. He knew how to appreciate life. He knew what was important. Jeff loved his students and celebrated every small success they had like a proud father. Everyone loved Jeff- it was impossible not to. He was a big kid at heart in the best possible way. I remember in my childhood my siblings and I would lay in the grass and look up at the sky, pointing out to each other the pictures made in the shape of the clouds. I dont know when it happened, but one day I looked up at the sky and all I saw were the clouds. I believe when Jeff looked up at the sky he still saw the pictures. I will miss him forever and will do my best to remember what he taught me about life. Thank you for being my mentor Jeff. #Birthday canters,
#Tuna fish Tuesdays, #Im not an idiot, #Milk and Jelly donuts, #HMI Love Liz
Candy Mattiello Agliotta
May 25, 2020
Dear Hopkins Family, So very saddened to hear of Jeffs passing. I have so many fond memories babysitting for them on Crooked Trail. Such a beautiful family. The kids were one cuter than the other and their mom and dad were the best.... loved them! My condolences to you all at this very difficult time.
Debra Phillips
May 24, 2020
I worked for Jeff at Mackenzies many year ago - the summer after my college graduation. A good, kind man. Im sorry to hear this news. Am glad he was able to work with what he was truly passionate about later in life.
Janet greenwood
May 24, 2020
Julie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Deborah Boccanfuso
May 24, 2020
Always makes me laugh when I think of Jeff and Judy Bond .... slipping a bit into Rowayton School pond...during recess. My heart and prayers go out to the Hopkins family.
Jessie Lenagh
May 23, 2020
So very sorry to hear this news. I remember many happy family weekends in Vermont, skiing, sledding down our steep S Newfane driveway and skating on the pond, visiting Jeffs grandmother Hoppy and listening to Tom and Dick solve the worlds woes. Condolences to Heather, Debbie, Jay and Chip.
Pat Cameron
May 23, 2020
So sorry for your loss. Jeff was a sweet generous man whose sincere smile warmed many a heart including ours. So glad we got to see him last Fall and hear his enthusiasm for what he was doing with Pegasus. He will be greatly missed. Sincerely, Pat and Bill Cameron
Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results
Make a Donation
in Jeffrey Hopkins's name
Memorial Events
for Jeffrey Hopkins
How to support Jeffrey's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Jeffrey Hopkins's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
