Hopkins remembered as dedicated Charleroi public servant

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

One of Charleroi’s most dedicated families lost a big part of their world over the weekend when Walter Hopkins passed away at 74.

Hopkins was the current chairman of the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi Board and he previously served many years on Charleroi council — at least a dozen of those years as its president.

“He was truly a person who always cared about the community and gave many years of service to Charleroi,” the Borough of Charleroi said in a Facebook post. “He will be greatly missed by all. Our sincere sympathy goes to the Hopkins’ Family.”

Hopkins’ wife, Adele, is a Charleroi School Board member, his brother is Magisterial District Senior Judge Larry Hopkins, one of his daughters is Kristin Hopkins-Calcek, who owns The Hopkins Agency, and his other daughter is Leanna Spada, executive director of the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Hopkins was a 1965 Charleroi High School graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree from California State College and became a teacher. He taught math and social studies at Charleroi Area Middle School for 35 years.

He ran for council for the first time in 1993 and was part of a five-person team that ran together and was elected together.

One of those candidates was Mark Alterici, current council president.

“It was a fun group to work with,” Alterici said. “A lot of people knew (Hopkins) from teaching at Charleroi, but I went to Mon Valley Catholic. I learned so much from him. I think I’ve stayed involved as long as I have because of how much he taught me.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.