Eric W. Hopkins

LYNN -- Eric W. "Ebba"? Hopkins, age 45, of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Lynn, died at his home on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, due to complications from an injury he suffered during a military training exercise and following a lengthy battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Born in Lynn on March 19, 1974, Eric was the beloved son of Linda J. (Slate) Haggerty of Lynn and Wayne Hopkins and his wife Maureen O'Sullivan of Quincy. Eric was raised in Lynn, attended Lynn English High School, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, where he was an outstanding hockey player, Swampscott High School and Salem State College.  He was a popular DJ in Lynn and the North Shore and was a talented dancer. In 1993, Eric enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He studied Combat Engineering and Demolitions and was honorably discharged following an injury he sustained during a training exercise. Eric attended the Golf Academy of America and was a professional golf instructor for many years. He was a proud member and former Junior Vice Commandant of the St. Pete Leathernecks, Marine Corps League, Major B.F. Hickey, Detachment 57 and VFW Post 4364, Pinellas Park, Fla., and provided military honors at many retired Marine Corps veteran funerals. Eric was a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend, and will always be remembered for his kind heart, unsolicited expert advice about hockey and golf, and the close relationship he kept with his immediate family.   In addition to his parents, Eric is survived by his loving sisters, Jamie Mancini and her husband Enrico of Lynn and Jill Avery and her husband Rich of Lynn; his adoring niece and nephews, Mackensey, Enrico Jr., Benajmin, Richie and Jayson; his best friend and companion, DeeDee Melanaphy; his aunts and uncles, Gerald "Jay"? and Melissa Drumm, Pamela and Peter Tassinari, Jan and Joe Monahan, William and Darlene Finnigan, Scott and Diane Finnigan, Kerry and Lisa Finnigan and Richelind and Larry Nichols; and his many cousins and close friends. Eric was the grandson of the late, Roger and Dottie Slate, William and Juanita Finnigan and Evelyn Drumm. Service information: A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Route 129), Lynn, at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Donations in Eric's memory may be made to Mission 22, 17040 Pilkington Road, Suite 200, Lake Oswego, OR 97035 or at www.mission22.com. Directions and online guestbook at www.solimine.com.