Gilmanton, NH – Stephen Henry Hopkins of Gilmanton, New Hampshire, passed away in 2026 after a long and courageous journey with cancer. Born August 15, 1956, in Berea, Kentucky, Stephen lived a life shaped by family, curiosity, service, resilience, and gratitude.
He is survived by Judy Hopkins, his wife and partner of 50 years; his sons, Christopher Hopkins (Jacqueline Hopkins) and Nathan Hopkins; his grandsons, Gregory and Chase Hopkins; and his sister, Christine Fitzpatrick.
Stephen’s childhood took him from Kentucky to France, Iraq, and Newport, Rhode Island, fostering a lifelong love of people, culture, travel, art, history, food, and learning. At the University of Rhode Island, he met Judy in the dining hall which began a partnership spanning five decades.
Stephen built a distinguished career in investment management, with leadership roles at Arthur Andersen, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Citigroup, Roundtable Investment Partners, and Ballentine Partners. Yet he came to believe that “eulogy virtues” mattered more than resume virtues; whether we were loving, dependable, courageous, generous, and faithful.
Family was at the center of his life. He began a tradition of family reunions to keep relatives connected across generations and geography. He also found joy in cooking, travel, conservation, nature, and service.
Years of lymphoma and head and neck cancer deepened Stephen’s faith and sense of purpose. He came to regard each day as a gift and hoped always to become wiser and to love better. He described his journey simply: “There and back again. I started my journey cradled in the love of God and my family and have found my way back there again.”
In the end, Stephen believed our surest compass is love.
A Reception will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. at the Smith Meeting House
School Building, 451 Meeting House Road, Gilmanton, NH 03237.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at also in the school building.
A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026 following the Celebration of Life at Smith Meeting House, Gilmanton, NH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Stephen Hopkins’ memory to the
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, or online at http://www.dana-farber.org/gift; or to the Gilmanton Conservation Commission, P.O. Box 550, Gilmanton, NH 03237.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com,164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.
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