Douglas Brian Hopkins

1947 - 2016

Douglas Brian Hopkins obituary, 1947-2016, New Haven, CT

BORN

1947

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Swan Funeral Home

825 Boston Post Road

Madison, Connecticut

Douglas Hopkins Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 14, 2016.

Douglas Brian Hopkins, 69, of New Haven, died peacefully at home on March 12. He was born in Norwich, VT on Feb. 20, 1947, the second son of Leonard and Eleanor (Connie) Hopkins. Doug loved and enjoyed his family! He is survived by his beloved daughter, son and granddaughter, Lindsey B. Hopkins, Walker R. Hopkins, and Emilie M. Albert; his older brother Richard Hopkins of Westborough, Mass.; sister and husband, Deborah and Raymond Vorce of New Castle NH; sister and husband, Suzanne and William McDonough, of Framingham, Mass. His nieces and nephews surviving Doug are: Leigh Walker and children Zachary and Mallory of Westborough MA,;Sharon Hopkins, husband Lincoln Hobby and daughter Carleigh Gaudrea of Worcester MA; Jennifer Smallidge. husband Eric and children Evelyn, Jeremy and Audrey of Woodbridge VA; Jessica Lockwood and fiancé Jonathan Chapman of Cambridge MA, Jared Lockwood of Bolton MA; Liam McDonough, wife Erika and children Myla and Lucas of Lunenburg MA,;Devin McDonough and Cory McDonough of Framingham MA. He is also survived by his former wife, Catharine Hopkins of Madison CT. In 1965 Doug graduated from Lexington (MA) High School and went on to receive a Fine Arts Degree at Boston University in 1969. At a young age Doug won a prestigious award in a regional Boston Globe art contest for his outstanding black and white drawing of a dog. Doug was an exceptional artist and he had an eclectic and creative career. He began working in the marketing/advertising/promotional product area, first at Norman Buffett Co. in Boston where he met and married his wife. In 1974 they moved to Madison, CT and opened a small gift/decorating shop, "Gazebo.". He later continued his career with Harvey Hubbell and Chesebrough Ponds. In 1987, he returned to self employment at "Group H", in Madison, providing similar marketing services. In 2004, he moved north to his family's camp on Lake Willoughby in Westmore, VT, where he always found peace and enjoyment. There, he worked with a builder to totally renovate the camp to make it a beautiful year-round home. He also opened and ran a successful local restaurant, "Kingdom Cooking" and "Mr. Bear's Bar". Around 2008 he returned to live in Connecticut, settling in East Haven, and most recently, New Haven. Doug was passionate about renovating houses! He had an extraordinary ability to do this well, and to leave his unique mark on each, which meant he moved a lot. When he moved back to Connecticut from Vermont, he started another thriving business with his friend, Gary Johnson, "Fresh Perspectives" -- staging homes for sale, often furnishing them, and organizing estate sales. Another unique form of artistic expression that Doug was passionate about were his ornate and colorful Asian tattoos that covered nearly his entire body. He began the tattooing over 10 years ago and he was always looking forward to adding to his body art! Doug Hopkins was a uniquely caring, passionate and generous family member and friend, always at the ready to come alongside those with a need or a problem, a joy or a heartache. He loved others well. He put his all into his work. He left a uniquely "Doug mark" on this world. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Calling hours will be at Swan Funeral Home in Madison on Thurs, March 17, from 4 – 6 pm. The funeral will be on Friday, March 18 at 11:00 am, at The United Church on the Green in New Haven. Reception to follow at the Church. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made in Doug's memory to: The Connecticut Food Bank, 2 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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June 7, 2016

Paul Staley

I met Mr. Hopkins when I was cutting Lawn as teenage and I lived down the street and a few years later I cooked a brunch reception at their house on Hopkins lane
(ha ha) I am so grateful for the opportunities they gave me to fallow my dreams. Doug was kind hearted and influenced my life thank you!! May your Spirit enjoy your new life
Paul Staley

March 23, 2016

Mark Putney

Lisa and I love the home you took in, nourished, and created on Silver Sands road. We call it "Blue Dog Manor". I hope you approve. Our friendship was very brief, but we are forever grateful to have met you. You gave us the home of our dreams. May your spirit soar Doug Hopkins..

March 23, 2016

Linda Wein

Doug and Jay had been friends for over 55 years. It's as simple as that. In high school, Jay moved from Winthrop, a very ethnically diverse community, to Lexington, which had a very homogeneous population. He was 1 of 5 Jews in the school. Doug was one of the first people he met. Doug told me recently that the minute he met Jay, he knew they would be friends. Well, he was certainly right.

I met Doug at the art school at Boston University in 1966. Jay was Doug's friend from UMASS and we all became friends. Jay and I began to date, Doug met Kathy, and we all got married within 2 weeks of each other in 1971. Doug and Kathy lived in Newton for a while before moving to Madison, CT. When Lindsay came into D and Ks life at 2 years old, we were the first visitors to meet her and Sandy was approximately the same age. Through the years there were many visits back in forth from Madison to Brookline.

How to document 55 years of best friends, suffice it to say we shared every emotion from joy and happiness to depression and fear, but their was also a lot of laughter and fun. Doug and Jay used each other as a sounding board to talk about whatever they were going through at the time, always able to add a new perspective or different opinion. The 3 of us knew each other better than anyone knew us. That familiarity was precious. As the years went on, if I would be out, when I returned, there would be Doug and Jay having a marathon phone conversation, talking 3 or 4 times a week. Seriously the joke was they were like 2 old ladies.

2 years ago we had a big party for Jay's mom who was turning 90. Doug called and asked if he could be included. We were happy that he felt comfortable enough to ask Jay if he could join us. It was a testament to how close he felt to our whole extended family. He certainly fit right in and we all had a wonderful time.

Last summer Doug joined our family vacation in Provincetown for a few days. This is a place we all loved and it was so nice to share that time together.

Since we lost Jay, Doug had been an amazing support to me and my girls, always offering support and guidance. I had somewhat taken over Jay's role and we began to talk for hours. I so looked forward to our talks because there was such a strong connection to Jay. It was so comforting to me. We agreed we both needed to talk to keep that familiarity with Jay.

Doug was an extraordinary person who had a really big heart. He was one of the most sensitive, gracious, insightful, and talented people I know, and Jay and I loved him. Our whole family loved him. As Stefie said "he was always a part of our inner circle." Our hearts go out to the whole Hopkins family, especially Lindsey and Walker. We hope Jay and Doug are yapping away as usual looking down watching us from above.

With Love Linda, Sandy and Stefie.

March 21, 2016

Amy Leiner

I am so proud and honored to have known Doug for 15 years. He was one of the kindest, creative, out-of-the-box thinkers I knew from Madison. Very supportive of small , local businesses too. But more importantly, I am the proud owner of the the "house that Doug built" in Madison called Woodside. What an honor to live inside his dream . I know you will be protecting and watching over this legacy-- with me in it. RIP Doug. You will be missed my many. Amy Leiner

March 17, 2016

Michaela Shibilski

I light this candle in your honor, for you were one of the wisest men I have ever meet. When my life didn't make sense you always said the right things. And when I couldn't see away out you opened a door. Always putting things into perspective,you had a way with words. You will forever be in my heart ,God Bless you.

March 17, 2016

Doug's kindness and humor have warmed our hearts for decades, and his memory will keep him there for as long as we can imagine. It's now a smaller world indeed without him.
Michael and Rosie Sulzbach (Guilford, CT)

March 17, 2016

Bob Garbo

To my Former business partner, great friend, enterprising genius
you will be greatly missed by me and my family.
Your kindness, grace and creative talent will be missed
by everyone who had the pleasure in meeting you.
Lindsey and Walker my condolences to both of you.
Your Dad Loved you both.

May my son Robby welcome you.

Forever grateful to know you .

Garbo & Hopkins Design, Inc.

Bob, Martha & Amy Garbo

March 17, 2016

Annie Chittenden

Thank you Doug, for bringing so much joy and light into our lives. Your genuine caring for others, your kindness, generosity, patience, tolerance and perhaps best of all, incredible humor will forever be cherished by everyone fortunate enough to have shared their lives with you. Our love goes out to all- most especially to Lindsey & Walker. Your dad loved you both, from the moment he met you, and he always will.

March 17, 2016

Melissa Velez

I light this candle to honor your dad, I am so very sorry for your loss! May he Rest in Peace and may his loved ones find peace within. God Bless ❤

March 16, 2016

Jay & Barbara

My wife and I knew Doug from his wonderful estate sales. Our home features many beautiful pieces that we purchased from Doug and Gary over the years. We will think of him every time we sit in our dining room, on our beautiful chairs, or enjoy the kimono hanging on our living room wall. He will be sorely missed.

March 16, 2016

Margaret Lyle

My friend,

I will always think of your generosity, thoughtfulness and sense of humor. One of the most tolerant, accepting and caring people I have ever known. I feel that I know some of your friends and family members because you spoke of them so often. You truly knew how to love and hold those who were special to you, very close.

You were interested in what's new and different, while cherishing and surrounding yourself reminders of the past. Your creative eye helped brighten our world and make it a far more interesting place. You were very interested in "re-purposing". I believe that God will be doing just that with your loving, selfless spirit.

I am grateful for your long friendship and care and will smile each time you come into my thoughts. No lemon meringue pie will ever measure up to yours.

This life was for you, never boring and I think you may have appreciated that most of all.

Love,

Margaret

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results

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Memorial Events
for Douglas Hopkins

Mar

17

Calling hours

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Swan Funeral Home

825 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443

Mar

18

Funeral

11:00 a.m.

The United Church on the Green

New Haven, CT

Funeral services provided by:

Swan Funeral Home

825 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443

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