SARANAC LAKE — Harry "Hoppy" Lawrence Hopkinson, age 68, Saranac Lake, passed away unexpectedly Dec. 22, 2012 at his home. He was born Jan. 20, 1944, in Malone, N.Y., the son of Lawrence and Eunice (Schryer) Hopkinson.
He graduated from Franklin Academy in 1961. At age 17, he began surveying with New York State Department of Transportation retiring in 1996 after many years in a supervisory position. He was the Chief of the Edwards Volunteer Fire Department in the 70's. Hoppy and his late father and uncles were members of the Long As You Live hunting club in Duane, N.Y.
He married Mary Cheress on Dec. 22, 1994. He was an avid member of the NRA. After retirement he enjoyed competing in Cowboy Action Shooting at the Chateaugay Fish and Game Club under the name Crazy Horse. Throughout his life he enjoyed fishing on Lake Ontario, climbing mountains in the Adirondacks, traveling the country with his wife Mary, riding his Harley, and spending time with his family.
Surviving is his wife Mary; four daughters from a previous marriage to Joan A. Roberts Wilson and sons-in-law, Marianne and James Rockhill of Colorado Springs, Colo., Joanne and Shane Julien of Rapid City, S.D.; Julianne and Marty Spilman of Gouverneur, N.Y.; Lorianne and Dave Koehler of Pueblo, Colo.; two Step daughters and their husbands, Trina and Tom Cassese of Tampa Fla; Jessica and Ralph Eckardt and their son, his Bub, Grant of Saranac Lake, N.Y.; 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and an aunt Annette Schryer Dockum of Keene, N.H.
Also surviving are two sisters and a brother, Nancy Rogers (Wayne) of Malone, N.V., PhylliS Carley (Mike) of Mountain View, N.Y. and Port St. Lucie, Fla. and Frank (Fiorella) of Sebring, Fla. Several in-laws also survive, Joan and Richard Mitchell, Margie Thompson, Louise and Darryl Thompson all of Cornwall Island, Linda Jackson of Hogansburg, Gerald and Darlene Thompson of Cornwall Island, and Sandra and Cedric Issac of Walpole Island, Ontario.
He was predeceased by his parents and a brother-in-law Bruce P. Jackson. He will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home from 2 to 4 P.M. And 7 to 9 P.M. on Wednesday, Dec. 26. A funeral service will take place at 2 P.M. on Thursday Dec. 27, at the First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Michael Richards officiating.
Friends wishing to remember Harry L. Hopkinson may make memorial contributions to the Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.
