Bernard James Hopkins

His memorial service will be held at Chapel of Memories in Port Alberni at 11am on Saturday October 29th. He was born June 22, 1932 in Breton, Alberta, and his family arrived in the Alberni Valley in 1947, settling in the Beaver Creek community.

He follows his wife of 70 years Fran Hopkins (d. 2015); he is survived by his five children Ed (Suzanne), Patrick, Melony Barber (Calvin), Timothy (Lorraine), Andrew (Carrie), as well as 11 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bernie worked in forestry, first on a logging railway and subsequently as a logger. He would later pull off the green chain at McLean Mill, before transitioning to the Alberni Plywood Division, where he stayed until its closure. During his time at the Plywood plant, he also sold and repaired Electrolux products, keeping a recurring advertisement for his business titled “Bernie Says” in the local Pennyworth paper. When completing a transaction with a customer, he would always leave them with his personal contact card, which read: “Don’t leave this planet not knowing where you’re headed. Make your reservations now. Book your trip with Jesus. He’ll take you to the promised-land. Reservations required. For further details contact Bernie Hopkins.”

Raised Catholic, he was an alter-boy in Breton. He and Fran were married in the Anglican Church of Port Alberni on November 10th, 1952. They would eventually become Salvation Army soldiers in 1959 and serve the community in that capacity until the fall of 1991. In this year, they participated in the renewal of the local Southside Community Church of the Nazarene, in which he acted as the head usher, an adult Sunday school teacher, and home group leader.

Bernie will be remembered as a wonder friend who encouraged everyone he met, bringing humour and a playful spirit into every conversation.

The family would like to express their profound thanks to Dr. Johan Smit, as well as the nurses and staff of Abbeyfield and Echo Village for their care and support.