Herbert Harris Hopkins

Herbert Harris Hopkins, 94, of Conneaut, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, October 22nd at his home, with his family by his side.  Herb was born on Good Friday, April 2, 1926 in Conneaut, the son of Herbert S. Hopkins and Nora E. (Harris) Hopkins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Mark, and his beloved wife of 62 years, Irene (Olson) Hopkins, whom he married on June 2, 1956.  

Herb grew up in West Springfield, Pennsylvania and graduated from Springfield High School with the class of 1944. He enlisted with the 2nd Air Force of the U. S. Army Air Corps at the end of World War II. After the war, Herb worked for the Nickel Plate Railroad for several years in the car repair shop in Conneaut. He attended college on the GI Bill and received a B.S degree in accounting from Xavier University in 1950. He worked as an accountant at The Pittsburgh & Conneaut Dock Company and retired as Purchasing Agent and Materials Manager in 1983.  

Always a patriot, Herb was a life member and Past Commander of the American Legion Cowle Post 151, and Past Commander of Ashtabula County Council American Legion. He also served in the American Legion Honor Guard and participated in numerous military funerals and parades for over fifty years. Just this year Herb was honored by Cowle Post 151 with a certificate and pin for 75 years of service to the American Legion.  

Herb was civic minded, and he held various public offices, including Precinct Committeeman, Clerk of Conneaut City Council, Ward Councilman, City of Conneaut Auditor and Vice-chairman of the Ashtabula County Republican Central Committee.  

One of Herb's interests was in the history of railroading, and he was one of the founders of the Conneaut Railroad Museum. He was instrumental in acquiring the passenger station from the New York Central Railroad and in obtaining the museum’s caboose and hopper car from the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad.  

Herb loved his family, friends, pets, and he enjoyed summer vacations hiking in the mountains and camping with his family in New England. He also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe in retirement with his wife Irene. He was a ham radio operator, was an avid sailor, and spent many summers boating on Lake Erie with his wife and children.  

Survivors include his children, twins Susan Diamond of Conneaut and Stephen (Jacklyn) Hopkins of Westerville, OH, and two grandsons, Eric Hopkins, and Chad Hopkins, also of Westerville.  

The family would like to extend our sincere thanks to the many wonderful and loving caregivers at the Villa at the Lake, Ashtabula County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Hospice of the Western Reserve, and Cherished Companions, who helped Herbert through his last few years.   

Funeral service will be 1:00 P.M., Monday, October 26th, 2020 at the Marcy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut, with Tim Kraus officiating.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until time of service at the funeral home.  

Burial will follow in Springfield Cemetery, East Springfield, PA, with Military Honors conducted by the American Legion Cowle Post #151.  

With the current COVID-19 Pandemic, masks are required, and social distancing will be observed.  

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Herbert to the Conneaut Church of Christ, 448 West Main Road, Conneaut, OH 44030.             

Sign the guestbook at www.marcyfuneralhome.com.

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