GOULDSBORO – Gary John Hopper, 66, passed away peacefully Aug. 6, 2006, surrounded by his loving family at a Bangor hospital. He was born Jan. 15, 1940, in Bloomsburg, Pa., son of Blanche Hopper and the late John W. Hopper. Gary graduated in 1957 from Catawissa High School in Catawissa, Pa. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1959, retiring after 20 years of decorated military service as senior chief petty officer. He was stationed in many places across the world including, Italy, Japan, Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, Washington D.C., Texas, California, and Winter Harbor. While stationed in California, he received an associate’s degree in accounting from DeAnza College in Cupertino, Calif. After retiring from the Navy, Gary was a lobster wholesaler for several years in the village of South Gouldsboro. During this time he attended college at the University of Maine at Machias, graduating magna cum laude and receiving a Bachelors of Science in business education. Subsequently, Gary taught fifth grade elementary school for 15 years at the Mountain View Middle School, Sullivan. While teaching he developed a civics-centered learning curriculum called the “Global Project” for which he received local and national attention. During his several careers Gary was also a tax preparer and made many friends and acquaintances through his work. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, American Legion, and the Franklin Veterans’ Club. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, dependableness and strong personal values. Gary Hopper is survived by his mother, Blanche Hopper of Bloomsburg, Pa.; his former wife of 34 years, Anne Boyd Hopper of South Gouldsboro; his son, Christopher Paul Hopper and his wife, Kellie, of Sidney; and his son, Wesley John Hopper of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his three sisters, Marsha Buckwalter of Bloomsburg, Pa., Sandra Bowes of Bloomsburg, Pa. and Teresa Sees and her husband, Dane, of Berwick, Pa.; his grandson and granddaughter, Maxwell Hopper and Megan Hopper, of Sidney; as well as, several nieces and nephews. A viewing will be held 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Jordan-Fernald Funeral Home, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at Jordan-Fernald Funeral Home with the committal service after at Bunker Memorial Cemetery, South Gouldsboro. A separate graveside service will be held in Bloomsburg, Pa. at a later date. You will be missed Gary. Anchors away.
GARY JOHN HOPPER
