Richard Hopkinson

Richard Joseph Hopkinson

February 3, 1949 – April 7, 2026

North Yarmouth -- Richard (Rich) Joseph Hopkinson, 77, passed away on April 7, 2026. He was born on February 3, 1949 in Cambridge, MA to Joseph and Janis Gertrude (Pettengill) Hopkinson. He was second from the eldest among the brood of five siblings. He was raised in Cumberland and attended Greely High School, where he immediately fell in love with Mathematics and any kind of problem that needed a solution. He graduated from Greely High School, Class of 1967.

After Rich graduated with a degree in Mathematics with high honors at the University of Southern Maine (USM), he went back to his Alma Mater (Greely High School), to teach High School Math. Being a High School teacher was one of the most fulfilling and exciting career choices Rich could’ve chosen. Because of the love of Mathematics, he created and developed an Honors Program and talked often about how important it was to him to be able to teach the Honors Program to students who want to learn more about Mathematics and how meaningful educating the youth was.

Aside from teaching Mathematics, Rich was also a Webmaster maintaining the school’s website. One day, he was posting some announcements to the site when something popped up out of the blue. Out of curiosity, he clicked the link and he was directed to the Christian Connection site (CC). And that’s how he met his wife, Connie (Semania) Hopkinson. The interesting part was she wasn’t aware that her name was in CC. It was her friend that tricked her! The rest is history – 24 years of being together sharing sweet memories and unforgettable adventures.

Rich was a teacher all through his life. Taught over hundreds of students for 36 years at Greely High School, received countless thank you notes from students, requests for letters of recommendations and wrote many recommendation letters for kids going to college. He was a legend in his own time. His students were so inspired by his teaching and a thorough knowledge of Math that they would even talk about him to their other teachers. He was very helpful and accommodating to students who encountered any problem that needed a solution. He was loved by his students and called him “Mr. Hoppy”, a name he will always cherish for the strong bond he had with his students. His family, friends and colleagues loved him for having a good sense of humor and for being such a wonderful person inside out. He was a good man with a big heart willing to sacrifice himself to help others in need.

Rich has a soft heart with animals and considered them as his friends. Oftentimes he would go to the bird feeder and throw some birds seeds and nuts for them. The little creatures loved him back by making funny sounds as a way of saying “thank you” for feeding them which made him chuckle. He was a hard-working man who loves gardening. In his younger years, he always looked forward to spring to cultivate the land and plant some vegetables he love most – potatoes, pumpkins, string beans, tomatoes and peppers. He found enjoyment and contentment just by looking at them bear fruits during summer and early fall.

Doing cross -word puzzle is his favorite past time. He loved to listen oldies but goodies kind of music. His taste of music was a reflection of his vibrant personality, with Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley the sound tract of his life. He likes simple and comforting food and drink – homemade pizza, spaghetti, fish fillet and milk.

Rich loved his family and has a great impact to his nieces’ lives. When they were young he shared his love for trains and endless conversations with them about everything. He offered sound advice, guidance, and support and encouraged them to be strong when facing adversity. He was a mentor and a role model to his nieces and considered him as their confidante during difficult times.

Those who had the privilege to knowing him will carry his legacy of humor, wisdom, perseverance and learning forward.

Rich is survived by his loving, caring and devoted wife Connie Hopkinson, and his siblings: Ellen Shorey, Mary Hoffman and James Hopkinson, brother-in-law, Sam Shorey, sister-in-law, Susan Hopkinson, his nieces and nephew: Mindy, Amy, Candy, Angie, Jessica and Rob, his great nieces and nephews and great, great niece. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Janis (Pettengill) Hopkinson, his younger sister, Janice Tedford, brother-in-laws: Stan Tedford, Bill Hoffman and Sr. Mary Joel (Aunt Myrtle Louise Hopkinson).

A Graveside Service will be held at Moss Side Cemetery, 333 Main St., Cumberland, ME 04021 on May 11, 2026 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to share your condolences, memories and tributes with his family.