Len Hopkins

The key to Len Hopkins' 32-year career in federal politics was his unwavering devotion to constituents.

According to former colleagues, the long-time Liberal MP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke strove to attend all events that took place in his riding -- no matter how big or small. Whether funerals, birthdays, wedding celebrations, church suppers or banquets, Mr. Hopkins would often make an appearance.

"He'd drive all the way from Ottawa for a wake and then return to Ottawa that night," said Jim Hickey, a long-time Liberal who worked on every one of Mr. Hopkins' election campaigns.

"He was one of the greatest constituency members I've ever been aware of."

Mr. Hopkins died in hospital yesterday at age 76, leaving behind a legacy of "diligence, dedication and devotion."

As an MP from 1965 to 1997, Mr. Hopkins never served in cabinet and never ran for the leadership of his party.

But he sat on the backbenches of the House of Commons under seven prime ministers and quietly dedicated himself to the people who returned him to public office nine times.

Mr. Hopkins represented the electoral district of Renfrew North from 1965 to 1972, Renfrew North-Nipissing East from 1972 to 1979 and Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke from 1979 to 1997.

Hec Clouthier, who succeeded Mr. Hopkins as Liberal MP for the riding, said his predecessor knew "every inch of his riding," as well as many of his constituents on an individual basis.

"He'd know the family, he'd know the son, he'd know the father, he'd know the grandfather," Mr. Clouthier said.

"You don't get elected as many times as he did without doing the right job."

Upon leaving office in 1997, Mr. Hopkins had a modest, simple explanation when asked what his legacy might be: "I would like to think that I left some decency in the political system."

After his retirement, Mr. Hopkins continued to serve his community, dedicating himself to seeing the Ottawa River designated a Canadian heritage river.

Oddly enough, given his dedication to the community, Mr. Hopkins wasn't a native of his riding.

Born on a farm near Argyle -- close to Lake Simcoe in Southern Ontario -- on June 12, 1930, Mr. Hopkins moved to Renfrew County when he was about 18 and soon began a teaching career. Between teaching stints at CFB Petawawa and the Township of Brudenell and Lyndoch, the soon-to-be politician obtained an honours degree in history and politics from Queen's University.

Mr. Hopkins' first taste of political success came when he was elected to Petawawa Township council in 1963.

During his time in federal politics, Mr. Hopkins was an ardent supporter of the military and one of the driving forces behind the development of CFB Petawawa.

For several decades, he also sought to reunite Polish families from Wilno and Barry's Bay with relatives who remained behind the Iron Curtain.

In 1974, Mr. Hopkins was a major force behind approving better financing for MPs to set up constituency offices. Until then, many MPs worked out of the basements of their own homes.

When John Turner's Liberals were decimated in the 1984 federal election and left with just 40 seats, Mr. Hopkins was one of the few to survive. His victory, by a margin of 38 votes, earned him the nickname "Landslide Len."

Mr. Clouthier repeatedly challenged Mr. Hopkins for the riding's Liberal nomination, but said the veteran MP always treated him with respect.

"He epitomized everything that is good and decent about politics," Mr. Clouthier said. "It's very difficult taking on a legend."

Mr. Clouthier said Mr. Hopkins made few enemies during his impressive career.

"He was never comfortable in the cut-throat politics, or the throwing of mud at anyone," he added.

"He was a calm, quiet and collected person who did the job to the best of his ability."

Marlene Catterall, former MP for the ridings of Ottawa West-Nepean and Ottawa West, said Mr. Hopkins put voters ahead of any personal political ambitions.

"The people that sent him to Parliament counted first and foremost," she said.

Former Liberal cabinet minister and leadership candidate Sheila Copps called Mr. Hopkins "a great Liberal" and someone younger Liberal MPs would turn to for "sage advice."

"In the truly old style of the word, he was a gentleman's politician in a business that often times is lacking in gentlemen -- or gentlewomen, for that matter," Ms. Copps said.