Obituaries

Robert W. “Hoppy” Hopkins

Robert W. “Hoppy” Hopkins of Cutchogue died August 31, 2012, at John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility in Yaphank. He was 63 years old.

Robert W. Hopkins

He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 27, 1949, to Robert and Harriet (Case) Hopkins. After graduating from Shelter Island High School, he served in the U.S. Navy for two years during the Vietnam era. He was honorably discharged as an EN3.

On August 16, 1975, he married Deborah Simms on Shelter Island. For the past 33 years they made their home in Cutchogue.

Hoppy was a member and past commander of the American Legion and a member and ex-chief of the Shelter Island Fire Department. He was also a Suffolk County fire instructor and a veteran’s service officer for the County of Suffolk.

Surviving are his wife, Deborah; a son, Robert W. Hopkins Jr. of Dallas, Texas; a sister, Barbara Reeves of Shelter Island; two nieces, Robin Guetz and Vicki Russ; a nephew, James Reeves; and a cousin, Jane Kelley of New Jersey. He was expecting the arrival of his first grandchild, Hunter Hopkins, in October.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, Sept. 4, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. American Legion and firematic services will be held beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 5, at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Father Peter DeSanctis will officiate. Interment, with U.S. Navy honors, will be at Calverton National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to East End Hospice or the Shelter Island Fire Department.

This is a paid notice.