Edward L. Hopkins Jr.

Edward L. “Ted” Hopkins, Jr., known affectionately as Tedder, passed away May 28, 2025 at the age of 92. Born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1933 to Eunice Ball and Edward L. Hopkins, Sr., Ted spent summers in Vermont where his grandfather, A. Ray Ball, owned the historic Equinox Hotel. Ted settled in Manchester at age 13, enrolled at Burr & Burton, and took up fishing with classmate Warren Severance. One day on their way to fishing they stopped in to say hello to Warren’s parents, Ebba and Cutler Severance. It was love at first sight, and the Severances became family to Ted.

Ted graduated in 1952 and spent a season trapping muskrats and cutting and skidding logs with his draft horse. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy the following year and trained in Chicago to be a machinist mate. He served during the Korean War aboard the USS Stormes (DD-780) destroyer and later the USS Vega refrigerated supply ship. He traveled to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Italy, though his duties in the engine room kept him below deck while in port. After four years to the day in the Navy, he hitchhiked from Oakland, California back to Manchester with just $15 in his pocket.

Back in Manchester, Ebba encouraged Ted to take up carpentry and he went on to become a master carpenter who was widely respected for his exceptional skill at using hand tools. After working for Orrin Beattie for 17 years, he established Ted Hopkins & Sons where he worked alongside his son Edward until he retired at age 88. There are examples of Ted’s craftsmanship throughout Manchester and Dorset— perhaps none more beautiful than the fireplaces at the Dorset Inn, built of Dorset butternut and white pine, and Danby imperial marble.

Fate intervenes in mysterious ways. One year his wife Lois bought Ted a book on antique tools to entertain him on vacation. When they got back, Ted rushed to his shop to rescue his tools - he had no idea they were in fact antiques! He became an avid tool collector and historian and such an authority on Stanley wood planes that he was asked to advise on Stanley Tools’ development team. Together he and Lois traveled to antique tool auctions all over the country, making new friends and having all kinds of adventures.

Ted came to public service by a circuitous route. Around 1960 he lived in an apartment owned by Lynn Bourn. In exchange for using Bourn’s TV antenna, he agreed to join the Manchester Fire Department. He spent 25 years as a firefighter, was Fire Chief for four years (1977-1981), and served as President of the Vermont State Firefighters’ Association when it had 5,000 members. He felt strongly that fallen emergency services personnel should be recognized and remembered and spent more than 50 years on the Vermont Emergency Services Memorial Committee. He was a key fundraiser for the Committee and attended the annual memorial services until 2024. In 2016, the Vermont State Firefighters’ Association recognized Ted for his dedication.

Ted was a past officer of the Manchester Historical Society and a past President of the New England Tool Collector’s Association. He was a member of the Mid West Tool Collectors Association.

Ted was a man of great integrity and an entertaining storyteller. He loved people, was interested in everyone, and made all feel special. He never stopped making new friends and kept them for life. Ted was an avid fisherman. He shared a special bond with son Ed over their many weekends spent fishing on Lake Champlain, often joined by Ned Elmore. He shared a passion for gardening with Elaine Monico. Above all, Ted and Lois enjoyed family gatherings, often hosted by Beth Ettinghausen.

Ted is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Lois N. Hopkins; his children Edward H. Hopkins (Cristina), Edwin (Ned) Elmore (Shelly), Elizabeth Ettinghausen (Steven), Elaine Monico (Robert), and Robert Hopkins (Gail); grandchildren Zach, Katie, Max, Forest, and Jared; sister Martha West (Bob); nieces and nephews Christopher West, Anna Lewis, Catherine McLandress, Sarah Nachtigal, John (Chip) Webster, Tammy Collins and Angela Webster Carlson. He was predeceased by his sister Marianne Seyffert and his nephew Stephen West.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Manchester Fire Department, where Ted proudly served for many years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

Vermont Emergency Services Memorial Committee, c/o Vermont Fire Academy

93 Davison Drive, Pittsford, VT 05763; https://firesafety.vermont.gov/memorial.

Please upload your photos of Ted at https://dropevent.com/nap44278.