Obituaries
There is a light that will never go out...
It is with deepest regret that we announce the following death:
John Hopkins
Founder member (1938) and former President of both St. Theresa's Conference, Crossgates adn the Leeds Central Council.
John Hopkins was born in 1918, the 8th of 10 children. His father died as a result of being gassed during the 1st World War, so John never really knew him. Leaving school at 15, he trained as a butcher with the Leeds Cooperative Society, continuing his education in the evenings at Leeds College of Commerce.
John joined the army in 1939 and served with the RASC in North Africa and Italy. On one occassion, he survived an explosion while driving a vehicle, only to have his pay docked for losing some equipment in the explosion!
In August 1945, John married Mary Lyons who later joined him in the St. Theresa's Conference, which he had helped to found in 1938.
On leaving the army, John joined his father-in-law at Lyons Dairies in Leeds. Mergers with other dairies later produced Associated Dairies. John was eager to set up a supermarket but there was little response to his modern idea, so he established his own supermarket in Crossgates, eventually owning a number of shops. In this capacity, his caring nature resulted ina reputation for showing benevolence towards less fortuante customers. Associated Dairies eventually caught on to his idea and became known as ASDA! John also helped his son to set up what is now an international circus business. John retired from business in 1979.
Once retired, John enjoyed spending time on the east coast at Filey and along with Former MP Stan Cohen, he helped to set up an SVP Conference there. Finally, in 1999, John and Mary announced their retirement from the St. Theresa's Conference. This completed 61 years service for John! In honour of their service to the society, they were elected honorary Vice Presidents and they presented the conference with a statue of St. Vincent de Paul, which is ever present at Conference meetings.
Throughout his life, John Hopkins devoted many hours of work to the Catholic Church through various societies and organisations. He was driven by his Christian faith and ideals and was always eager to help others, retaining a cheerful disposition throughout.
He is survived by his wife Mary and son Anthony.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE
(Kevin McDonald, Secretary, St Theresa's SVP Conference, Leeds)