John Stephen Hopkins

John Stephen Hopkins, 63, of North Palm Beach, FL, passed away on Friday, June 5, 2020.  Born in Neptune, NJ on August 14, 1956 to Donald and Maureen, John grew up in Oakhurst and West Long Branch, NJ, before moving to Florida in 1979.

John graduated from Shore Regional High School in 1974.  He became a volunteer firefighter in West Long Branch and worked as a police dispatcher.  He moved to Florida in 1979, joining the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.  John retired in 2010 as a Corporal within the civil service division.  He earned many accolades and awards for his service to the people of Sarasota County during his career.  After a short hiatus to NJ, John moved to North Palm Beach, FL, working as an associate for the local Home Depot.

John was a founding member and season ticket holder of the Tampa Bay Lightning before leaving Sarasota.

John was predeceased by his father Donald in 1974 and his mother Maureen in 2000.  He is survived by his brother Donald and sister in law Christine of Eaton, CO.; sister Kathleen Hamilton and brother in law Eric of Manahawkin, NJ.;  brother William and sister in law Suzanne of Silver Lake, WI.; brother Michael and sister in law Mary of North Palm Beach, FL.; brother Lawrence and sister in law Barbara of Bridgewater, NJ.; brother Christopher and sister in law Laura of Venice, FL.; brother Mark of Hainesport, NJ.; and brother Kenneth and sister in law Beth of Robbinsville, NJ.

John was the loving uncle of nieces and nephews Christine Hopkins; Matthew, Jeffrey (Erin), Kaitlin, Ryan, and Colin Hamilton; William, Daniel (Rebecca), Brian (Miriam) Hopkins and Emily Herbert (Ryan); Taylor Hopkins; Rachel Shanagher (Jack) and Alex Hopkins; Ericka and Alyssa Hopkins (Ray Nunez); and Alana, Casey, and Henry Hopkins; grand-nieces and nephews Grace and Grant Hamilton, Caroline and Charlotte Herbert, Ophelia Hopkins, and Xander Nunez.

John was very proud of his nieces and nephews and spoke of them often. Also surviving are many cousins of the Mansfield and DeCanio families and many wonderful friends. 

John's most precious survivor is his dog Miya, a Shiba Inu.  Miya was the center of John's universe.  The two were inseparable.  Everyone who knew John, knew Miya.

A graveside service will be held in Mount Carmel Cemetery, West Long Branch, NJ, on Friday, September 10, 2021 at 11AM  along side his parents Donald and Maureen.

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