OBITUARY FOR STEPHEN A. HOPKINS

Stephen A. Hopkins, a resident of East End, Anguilla, died on May 30, 2021 at his home in Orleans, MA. Steve and his wife, Sylvia McMeen, had spent the winter in their home in Anguilla and were grateful for that special time here with friends.
Stephen, the son of Lucy and Reuben Sidney Hopkins, was born on April, 25, 1932 at a midwife’s house in Eastham, MA. He grew up in Orleans, MA, where generations of his family have lived since 1644.
Following high school, Steve graduated from University of Massachusetts in 1954. He then spent two years in the Army stationed in Germany. After his discharge, Steve attended Boston College School of Law. He went to law school at night and worked days in the United States Attorney’s Office as Administrative assistant to US Attorney Elliott L. Richardson.
In 1962 Steve joined the law firm of Sherburne, Powers and Needham in Boston, MA, where he worked as a civil trial attorney. He retired as head of the trial department in 1998.

Stephen and Sylvia first came to Anguilla on holiday in 1988. Ten years later they moved into the home they built just east of Sea Feathers. For over twenty years they spent seven months of the year in Anguilla, travelling with two Great Danes and various cats. Steve was known for, and loved, his morning walk with his dogs at Sile Bay and later at Mimi Bay.

In 2001 Steve started singing on Sunday with the choir at St. Augustine’s Church. In addition, he sang for years with the St. Augustine’s Chorale which gave unique performances at Christmas and Easter. It was difficult for Steve when physical limitations forced him to give up his involvement with both the choir and the Chorale. However, his fellowship with the choir continued as a sustaining force for him.
During his retirement, Steve wrote two books of collections of his memoirs. They were stories of his childhood on Cape Cod, his experiences related to various trials, lawyers and judges, and stories about his children and family life. Some stories described his travels with Sylvia; many stories related to the dogs he loved.
For years Steve enjoyed writing letters on various topics which were published in both the St. Martin Herald and in The Anguillian.
In addition to his wife, Sylvia McMeen, Mr. Hopkins is survived by his brother, Richard Hopkins of Orleans, MA, a sister, Lucy Buckley of Chatham, MA, eight children, eighteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.