Thomas A. Hopkins

Thomas A. Hopkins, age 81, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Sharlene Hopkins (nee Kasson) for 51 years, and the loving father of Jason, Amy, and Matt. He was the cherished grandfather of Savannah and Lottie, the devoted son of the late Lenore (nee Fox) and Donald Hopkins, and the loving brother of the late Diane Ketterer (Bill) and Joan. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Kim (Dennis), Mark (Jackie), and Jeff (Mary), as well as his cousins Kathy Abbot (Don) and their daughters Kim and Chrissy, and the late John Heiberg.

Tom grew up in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood and attended St. Patrick School, where he formed lifelong friendships with Bill Vacha, Mike Berichon, Dave Nemeth, and the late Neil Farrell. He later graduated from St. Edward High School in 1963 and from Cleveland State University with a BSE. It was at St. Patrick that he met Sharlene, beginning a marriage that would last more than five decades.

A man of quiet enthusiasm and deep connection, Tom had a lifelong passion for fishing and for encouraging young people to question and explore. He found great joy in his beloved Boxers—Duke, Duke, Guinness, and Max—and in coaching and attending his children’s sports. He treasured simple family pleasures: backyard baseball games, spirited ping pong matches in the basement, and weekend outings to skip rocks in the valley with his children and dogs.

Tom will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His family continues to honor his memory by cherishing time together with friends and loved ones, remembering how, in the words of his favorite poet Robert Frost, he took the road less traveled by—and that has made all the difference.