John M. Hopkins

District Fire Chief John M. Hopkins FRFD, age 85 of Fall River, passed away Friday, April 15, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Marietta “Mary” (DiPaolo) Hopkins, to whom he had been married for 48 years.

Born in Fall River, the son of the late William J. Hopkins Sr. and the late Elizabeth R. (Priestly) Hopkins, he was a lifelong resident of the city and a graduate of BMC Durfee High School class of 1948.

Mr. Hopkins was employed with the Fall River Fire Department for 35 years, the last 20 of those years he served as a District Fire Chief in Cars 1 and 2 until his retirement in 1993, prior to that he served a year on the Fall River Police Department in 1957. A United States Navy Veteran, he served aboard three different ships during the Korean War.

A communicant of Holy Trinity Parish in Fall River, he was a greeter and a member of the St. Vincent dePaul Society. John was a member of the MA State Fire Fighters Association, the Municipal Retirees of Fall River and the Ponta Delgada Club.

Mrs. Hopkins would like to thank the Southcoast VNA & Hospice and especially nurse Sheri Bankert for the compassionate care they provided John during these past few months.

In addition to his loving wife of 48 years, he is survived by a brother Joseph W. Hopkins of Somerset and many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late William C. Hopkins Jr., James Hopkins and Lillian Pease.

His visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 from 9 to 10:30am in the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Cherry Place 178 Winter St., Fall River, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11am in Holy Trinity Church 951 Stafford Rd., Fall River. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the Southcoast VNA & Hospice 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719 or to the St. Vincent DePaul Society c/o Holy Trinity Church. To send a tribute or for directions please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com