Jacob Yopp

1935 - 2021

Jacob Yopp, 85, of Hebron, CT passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on June 1st 2021. He was born in New Britain, CT on August 10, 1935. He grew up in Berlin & New Britain, moving to Hebron in 1965 where he lived and raised his family for the past 56 years. Jacob was predeceased by his parents the late Carlton Yopp and Eva (Troupe) Yopp. Predeceased by brothers: Charles Yopp, Carlton Yopp Jr., Arthur Yopp, Irvin Yopp and Aline Yopp. Predeceased by sisters: Ruby Mae-Hurst Chappel, Mattie Dupree, Exelee (Yopp) Caldwell, Mamie Hall, Rev Thelma Bell, Delilah Yopp, Eva Yopp-West and Cassie Allen. Jacob was the youngest and last surviving of all the children. He is survived by his son and daughter in-law Crandall & Lisa Yopp of Hebron CT, daughter and son in-law David and Tracy (Yopp) Bellomo of Plainville CT, son Courtney Yopp of Williamsburg VA, son Eric Yopp of Hebron CT, daughter and son in-law Eddie and Dawn (Yopp) Clemonts III of New Britain, CT. Grandchildren: Alisha Goode, Anastasia Yopp, Xavier Yopp and Crandall (CJ) Yopp Jr. Step-Grandchildren: Suzanne Stula & Robert Stula III. Great-Grandchildren: Dajaughn Crosley, William Wooten, Maliyah Wooten, Sheeham Watkins and several nieces and nephews. A New Britain High School graduate, he was a track-field and football star along with his cousin Adam Yopp. After High School he lived briefly in Fairbanks, Alaska as a forest fire fighter before serving 4 years in the US Air Force and was stationed at Langley Air Force base in Hampton, Virginia. In 1965 he moved to the beautiful and peaceful town of Hebron, CT where he built his house and resided. Jacob worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft (United Technologies Corp) in East Hartford, CT for 26 years, lastly as a Manager in Semi Production before his retirement in 1988. He had a passion for listening to Jazz, his favorite artist was Miles Davis. He also was a painter, and an avid reader, enjoying books about Black history and Native American history. In September of 2019, Jacob gave a seminar at the New Britain Public Library called "A Family Looking Back". The event brought together multiple generations of the Yopp Family to listen to the stories he was able to compile throughout his extensive researching over the years. Jacob was the family historian & genealogist, tracing back the Yopp family lineage for more than 7 generations on both African and the Native American side, Central Africa (Congo) and the Baka Tribe. He loved and appreciated photography, being able to what he called "capture time." He was very active through the years in Hebron with the Boy Scouts Troop 28 as a Scout Leader. Most memorable time was taking 10 scouts on an 87-mile canoe trip in the Adirondacks Forest Preserve from Old Forge, NY to Tupper Lake, NY with Scout Leader Milton Shaw. He was also very active with the Hebron Youth Baseball and was both Commissioner of the league and Coach of the Bears, taking them to become League Champions. Later in life he became known as the (sometimes outspoken) "#1 Fan" at RHAM High School & Hebron Rec Baseball and Basketball games, watching his grandson CJ play. Jacob loved the outdoors, spending time hunting, fishing, bike riding and taking long hikes in the woods with his dog Chad, his beloved Basenji. A favorite and most special time for him was our Annual 4th of July Yopp Family picnic at Harkness Memorial Park in Waterford, CT to enjoy and connect with his much-loved extended family and friends. For many years throughout his life, summers and early fall were spent at Cape Cod spending time by the ocean in Wellfleet. He was a collector of treasures he found along the way like books, artwork, music, seashells & sea glass. Jacob spent his days with the mindset of, "Every day you should learn something new". He always brought emphasis to the fact that there is no limit to anyone's potential as individuals. His diverse array of knowledge and unparalleled "will-power" helped him maintain the mentality to able to turn nothing into something, no matter the situation. The family would like to give a special thank you the hospital staff at the Newington, New London, and West Haven Connecticut Veterans Hospital along with Matt, Michelle, Adrienne and all the staff from VITAS Hospice Healthcare Glastonbury & Waterbury CT offices for the special care given during his illness. A family celebration of Jacob's life will be held at a later date. "Sleep on Dad and take your rest, we love you but God Loves You Best"