Gerard E. Hopkins

61, of Wakefield, RI, passed away on November 19, 2017.  Gerry was the son of the late Kathryn (Breen) and Edward G. Hopkins, Sr.  He was raised in Warwick and was a proud graduate of Bishop Hendricken High School.  He moved to Bonnet Shores in Narragansett in 1978 and then to Indian Run Village in Wakefield around 2000.  Gerry worked as a security guard at Newport Hospital and Bonnet Shores Beach Club.  He then worked for several years in dining services at the University of Rhode Island.  Gerry was devoted to his family, especially to his parents, for whom he was the primary caregiver in their later years, thus allowing them to remain in their own home until the end of their lives.  Gerry was charming, witty, affable, and had the patience of a saint. He had a heart of gold and would help out a family member or friend in need without hesitation.  After his family and friends, two of his favorite things were a good iced coffee and a winning lottery ticket.

Gerry is survived by his siblings:  Edward Hopkins, Jr. (his twin) of Warwick; Richard Hopkins and his wife, Norma, of North Kingstown; Ellen Heiser and her husband, Jeffrey, of Warwick; and Bryan Hopkins of Hawaii.  He is also survived by his beloved nieces:  Kimberly Gonzalez and her husband, David, of California; Stephanie Heiser of Massachusetts; Allison Heiser of Warwick; Julia Hopkins of Warwick; and great-niece Maya Gonzalez of California.  Gerry is also survived by his sister-in-law, Mary McCarthy, of California and dear friend of the family, Gayle Davis and her husband, Paul, of Narragansett.  In addition to his parents, Gerry was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Sobieski) Hopkins.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the dedicated staff at South Shore Mental Health Center in Wakefield for the great care and steadfast support they provided to Gerry and his family over many years.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 11:00 am in St. Veronica Chapel, 1035 Boston Neck Rd., Narragansett. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Greenwich. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Gerry’s memory to the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale, 1231 Kingstown Rd., Peace Dale, RI 02879, www.jonnycakecenter.org