Peter Douglas Hopkins

Peter Douglas Hopkins

May 2, 1941 to January 15, 2025

Peter began his life in Weston-Super-Mare, in England, the son of David Hopkins and Maria Lutz. He died at 83 years of age in his sleep due to compounding health complications at Humber River Hospital, not far from his home in another “Weston”, in Toronto’s west end, on January 15, 2025. He is survived by his partner of over 30 years, Eileen (Judy Izz) Clegg; three children: two daughters, Megan McCartney (née Hopkins) and Lorraine Hopkins, and son Brendan Hopkins; and two cherished grandchildren, Gwenyth McCartney and Rowan McCartney. He also leaves behind many relatives in the UK, brothers and sisters: Maria Henry (Richard), Helena Hughes (Michael), Patricia Gill (Steve), Josephine Milsom (Phillip), Tony Hopkins (Lesley) and Michael Hopkins, and many beloved nephews and nieces. Pete went back to visit W-S-M often, and was so happy to have visited recently, in 2023.

Peter also leaves behind a lovingly tended – not surprisingly English-style – large garden; he took great joy in caring and nurturing plants, often times too many to fit into his local greenhouse for the winter – even when he had three benches! Somehow being requested (or was that “demanded”?) to “help out” in his garden has led to all three of his kids having a love of gardening too. The many, MANY watering cans and garden tools he has will continue to be put to good use. (But we will at last be able to throw out the broken ones, that “just need a bit of glue” :)

Before becoming a vice principal, Peter was a teacher, his favourite grade to teach being Grade 8 – yes, 13-year-olds. His students learned quickly to only address him as either “Mr. Hopkins” or “Sir” – he wore a suit to the classroom. Even after retirement, Pete’s first choice of shirt was always a button-down.

Peter made friends easily, with his colleagues, fellow gardeners and at the gym – Peter was into sports, playing squash as long as he could even with a bad knee, plus rugby and tennis. But he particularly loved football (the real football, that many Canadians incorrectly call soccer) and spent many years as a coach.

He also loved caring for animals, rescuing dogs and always rapidly becoming other people’s pets’ favourite visitor, which of course he planned, by loading up his pockets with treats.

Peter was a man of contrasts: both a planner and impulsive, frugal yet someone who also enjoyed, and wanted others to enjoy luxury in life. We’d love to hear your stories of Peter and condolences can be posted here. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Ontario SPCA & Humane Society, or planting a tree in his memory through Living Tribute. A celebration of life will be held in the spring.

Click here to donate to Ontario SPCA and Humane Society

Click here to plant a tree through A Living Tribute