Deacon Farrell J. Hopkins

Deacon Hopkins has left a legacy of service and counseling to adults and young people which spanned over 50 years. He directed athletic and recreational programs, provided marriage and family counseling and founded and established crisis intervention programs for municipal organizations. Throughout the years, he was well known and admired for getting his point across using personal stories and humor.

Farrell received his Bachelor of Science degree from Empire State College and his Masters Degree from St. John’s University. He completed advanced studies at St. John’s and Fordham Universities in Individual, Marriage and Family Counseling and completed Alcohol and Drug studies in the summer program of Rutgers University. He also trained and became a clinical member in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

In his early years, Farrell was the director of physical education and recreational programs for St. Jude’s Parish, St. Joseph’s School for the Deaf and St. Agatha’s Home for children. He was also the director of the Youth Employment Training program for Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of New York.

In 1974, Farrell attended St. Joseph's Seminary and was ordained a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of NY. He served for over 20 years at St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Nyack. In his capacity as deacon he also served as chaplain for St. Agnes Home for Boys in Sparkill, Rockland Psychiatric Hospital for Children, Calvary Hospital, Rockland County Correctional Facility, Rockland County Shields and NYC Fire Dept. Drum and Bagpipe Band. He was the founder and director of the Dads Against Dangerous Drugs for our Youth (DADDY) and Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse (VASSA) programs. As a deacon he is well remembered for performing many marriages and baptisms, which gave him great joy.

Throughout his life of dedication he received numerous awards and commendations and served on a variety of committees and boards. He was a member of NYC Kiwanis Club, West Nyack Lions Club, West Nyack and Clarkstown Sr Citizens Clubs, Knights of Columbus and Elks Lodge.

Deacon Farrell is predeceased by his beloved wife Dorothy, son William, daughter-in-law Cheryl (nee Georgi), his sister, Catherine “Sissy” Dolan and grandson, Joseph Lima. He is survived by his sons, Farrell Hopkins, Jr. and wife Laura of Haverstraw, NY; and Daniel Peter and wife, Janine of New Hampshire; daughters, Dorothy Theresa Delfino of Monticello, NY; Frances Jo Lima of West Milford, NJ; and Donna Marie Strand of Shirley, NY; and his daughter-in-law Kathleen of Valley Cottage, NY. His surviving siblings include, William Hopkins and Peter Hopkins. He also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren, eight great -grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Hopkins family will receive friends on Thursday from 4-8PM at

Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home, New City, NY and Friday 4-8PM at St. Francis

Church West Nyack, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:15Am at St. Francis Church in West Nyack, NY with burial to follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, NY.