Ronalds L. 'Hoppy' Hopkins

HOPKINS - Ronald L., Sr. Hoppy Age 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 26, 2020 at his home in Tonawanda, NY. Hoppy was born June 27, 1933 in Buffalo, NY. Devoted husband of 65 years to my honey Delia (nee Buell); loving father to Linda Hopkins (preceded in death), Ronald Hopkins Jr., and Sheri Hopkins (Schuh); cherished grandfather to Ronnie Scott Hopkins, Christine Hopkins, Lindsay (Joseph) Bongiovanni, Ashley Schuh, Christie Schuh, Demitri Hopkins, and Levi Hopkins; adored great-grandfather, aka Papa, to Matthew Maglietto Jr. with whom he was so proud to share the same birthdayCora Hopkins, and Lylah Williams. Many affectionately knew Hop as Coach, and we are told he was the best Coach some had ever had. He touched many lives and he taught valuable lessons in more than just the game. He was dedicated to his craft and always strove to be the best he could be. He coached for Lincoln Park Lions football and baseball, Tonawanda AllStar hockey, Twin City Geminis football, North Tonawanda Lumberjacks football, Buffalo State College Bengals football, and Jim Kellys Football Camp. He was our rock and the epitome of a family man. Anything we needed, he was there; he was unfailingly there for his friends too. He gave his honey a once in a lifetime love, the kind which many of us will never experience and which all of us admired. He was the most thoughtful gift giver, always making sure his sweetheart knew how loved she was. The love he showed his grandchildren and the values he instilled in us have left their mark; we will always carry him with us. Although we are deeply saddened by Hops passing, it is important to remember what an extraordinary man he was and what an extraordinary life he lived. A Veteran in both the Army and Navy, Hop served in the Korean War. Strong is one of the first adjectives that comes to mind to describe Hop; he was so strong in both his mind and his body. He was determined to excel in life, to stay sharp, and to constantly learn. If there was something Hop didnt know how to do, you better believe he had a book or a video to teach himself how. He was a gifted artist and would make diagrams of play call signals, and painted bunnies on the walls of his grand babys bedroom. He was also built like an Ox. While in his 70s, he would run into one of his granddaughters at the gym after being there for just 3 hours! If there was something he wanted to do, he did it. From his earlier days of race car driving, playing the sports he loved so dearly, traveling, being at Opening Day of Rich Stadium and all 4 Buffalo Bills Super Bowls, to voting this past November, he was a force to be reckoned with! In lieu of flowers, Hop would instead want your positive energy sent, to help the Bills get to and win their first Super Bowl. A service will be held at LOMBARDO FUNERAL HOME, 885 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, NY 14226 on Saturday, January 2nd, 2020 from 2 PM to 5 PM. Online condolences may be offered at www.lombardofuneralhome.com. Due to NYS guidelines, occupancy limits will be observed.