John Francis Hopkins

You don’t think of John without his beloved wife of 66 years, Colleen (McEvoy) Hopkins whom he married in 1958. Together they raised 5 children in a home known for being filled with love, fun, good food and lively conversation. The Hopkins dinner table remained a happy place to be whether it was at home in Connecticut or Florida, at one of John’s favorite restaurants, or at the Willett House, John’s own restaurant venture with his son Neil and “adopted” son and friend Chris DeNisco. At home, the evening often started with cocktails and a game of Scrabble, where you had to bring your A game to keep up with John. He was also known to poke fun at the scorekeeper, saying “you gotta keep an eye on her” (It was usually Colleen). The banter continued in the kitchen where John and Colleen prepared many family meals together. John was an outstanding cook. At the dinner table, John had a quiet presence, but a meal never went by without a one liner from the head of the table that sent anyone who heard it bursting into laughter.

John graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY. He demonstrated a strong work ethic from a young age, getting his first job at 15 and giving his earnings to his father to contribute to the household. When his children were young he held multiple jobs at a time in electronics, food service, and as a cab driver among other things. John proudly served in the Navy Reserve from 1958 to 1962. In 1973 he took a chance starting SND electronics, a semiconductor distributing company. His philosophy was “one satisfied customer at a time”. His vision and hard work paid off and the company grew to employ hundreds globally. John loved his work and could often be heard telling his grandchildren that “if you do what makes you happy, you will never work a day in your life”.

The family spent summers in Montauk, where John would take his boys off shore fishing. After a few years of driving back and forth to Montauk on the Long Island Expressway, he decided it would be necessary to get his pilot’s license. He did that in 1977. Flying became a passion and family and friends shared many flying adventures with John over the years. John also enjoyed golfing and water skiing and loved to share his hobbies and interests with family and friends.

John and his wife Colleen were reunited at peace exactly one week after John’s passing. They are survived by their children Neil (Hiromi), Greg (Ellen), Laura Miller (David); his daughter-in-law Tracy; and his grandchildren Danielle, Megan, Lara, TJ, Ryan, Shannon, Devan, Zachary, Colleen, Amanda, Francine, and John. He is predeceased by his sons David and Stephen.

The family will honor John and Colleen with a mass on June 13, 2024 at 10:00AM at Saints John & Paul Parish in Larchmont, NY. John will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His love, wisdom, and humor will be forever cherished by his family and friends.