John J. Hopkins

John Joseph Hopkins, age 83 of Roswell Ga and Birmingham Al, died on November 10, 2013 of cancer. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, the youngest of 8 children in a loving first-generation Irish family. He was the first of the children born in a hospital. Stickball, cool cars, his dog Snookes, and beloved brother and sister Charles and Bette were early passions. John was a tremendous believer in education. He attended St. Augustine High School (graduated second in his class after Bob Botts). For 10 years he worked full-time while attending Brooklyn College at night until he finally graduated Cum Laude. He joined the Navy during the Korean War and served 2 years in the Mediterranean. He then earned a PhD in Industrial Psychology from Ohio State University. There his great affection for the Buckeyes began and flourished throughout his lifetime. He served on the Board of Education of St. Francis Xavier Church in Birmingham, and at various times taught courses at Ohio State University, Georgia State and Kennesaw Universities, as well as many adult education classes at Seniors Enriched Living (SEL), and religion classes to many children. In retirement he spent countless hours as a volunteer AARP tax aide. John worked as a psychologist for AT&T and later for South Central Bell in Birmingham. He retired from BellSouth in Atlanta, Georgia as an Assistant Vice President of Human Resources. His retirement gift was not a watch, but cast iron cookware for the many camping trips he would make in retirement. His colleagues knew him well. John loved his work. He was a natural leader, mentor and conciliator. But he loved family a whole lot more. He met the love of his life, Carol Kelly, on a Colorado ski trip. His future mother-in-law knew a good catch when she saw one. Before he even proposed to her daughter, she gave him the gift of a china set for 20. A less courageous man might have run, but John continued dating. They enjoyed many a Christmas dinner on that china in the years since. John and Carol married on December 26, 1960 in Scarsdale, NY. They spent the next 53 years expressing their love for each other with purposeful acts of kindness. Together they raised 4 daughters, Liz, Ellie, Kelly and Ashley. John made it a priority to be home for family dinner. He loved planning family vacations (before the internet!). He was liberal with kind words, tickles, homework help and home fix-it projects. He watched more gymnastics meets and school plays than he could count. He was a faithful and active member of his church, St. Francis Xavier in Birmingham, and St. Thomas Aquinas in Roswell. He was active in discussion groups, church leadership, but most of all in living his Christian beliefs through giving and sharing. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol Kelly Hopkins, his daughters & their families: Elizabeth Aubry & Joseph Anthony Walsh, Charles Aubry & Eleanor Ann Walsh; Eleanor Carol Hopkins and Cary Mandeville, Lena Myrl & Rosalie Carol Mandeville; Kelly Ann Hopkins; and Ashley Jean & Kevin Dwight Jones and John Caleb Jones; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles Michael and Elizabeth J. Hopkins and brothers and sisters, Mary Elizabeth Hopkins, William Hopkins, Kathryn Callegari, Thomas Hopkins, Regina Diliberto, Elizabeth Morenus & Charles Hopkins. Even in sickness John was more interested in hearing about the ideas and activities of others than talking about himself. To the end, he was gracious. To his family and many friends he modeled how to live a happy and fulfilling life through good cheer, interest in others, pursuit of knowledge and service. We will miss him, but are so grateful for the lessons he taught us. Celebration of life services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 535 Rucker Rd. Alpharetta, Ga. on Friday 11-15-2013 at 10:00am, followed by lunch at the church. The family will receive visitors on Thurs. 11-14-2013, 2:30-4:00pm also at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Interment will be at Honey Creek Woodlands, Conyers, Ga. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to donations to St. Thomas Aquinas Church, John Hopkins fund or a charity of your choosing.

John J. Hopkins

April 17, 1930 - November 10, 2013