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Deacon Farrell J. Hopkins, who served as deacon at St. Francis of Assisi parish in West Nyack, died Oct. 22 at a son’s home in New Hampshire. He was 87.
Deacon Hopkins, while with St. Francis, served as chaplain for St. Agnes Home for Boys in Sparkill, Rockland Psychiatric Hospital for Children, Rockland County Correctional Facility, and NYC Fire Department Drum and Bagpipe Band.
As a deacon, he is remembered for performing many marriages and baptisms. His service as a deacon was curtailed in 1994, because of illness.
He founded the archdiocese-wide Dads Against Dangerous Drugs for Our Youth (DADDY) and Varsity Athletics Against Substance Abuse programs.
He was director of Youth Employment Training for Catholic Charities in the archdiocese, and as director of physical education and recreational programs for St. Joseph School for the Deaf in the Bronx and St. Agatha’s Home for Children in Nanuet.
Born in Manhattan, Deacon Hopkins attended St. Joseph’s Seminary and was ordained a permanent deacon in 1974. He held a bachelor’s degree from Empire State College and a master’s from St. John’s University. He took advanced courses at St. John’s University and Fordham University in individual, marriage and family counseling.
Deacon Hopkins was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, and a son, William. He is survived by his sons Farrell Jr. and Daniel, and daughters Dorothy Delfino, Frances Lima and Donna Strand; brothers, William Hopkins and Peter Hopkins; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass was offered Oct. 27 at St. Francis of Assisi parish in West Nyack. Burial was at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla.
