Profile: The Rev. Geoff Hopper
Friday, March 9, 2007 at 04:37PM 
By Christopher Snook. When asked to reflect on the significance his 85th birthday, the Rev’d Geoff Hopper recently commented: “I feel like Tennyson’s brook, ‘memory come and memory go, but I go on forever.’” With that – and a tell-tale chuckle – the Rev’d Hopper began the story of a rich and challenging life.
Born on February 27, 1922, in the village of Strood, Kent County, England, the Rev’d Hopper was educated at the second oldest public school in England. Discipline, he says, was the order of the day at King’s School, Rochester, and this made his transition to the Air Force in 1941 much easier than it might otherwise have been. Stationed in Nova Scotia for three of his years of active service, he left the forces in 1947 and studied to become a teacher. He returned to Canada in August of 1957 to take up teaching duties in Saskatchewan. Encourage by the late Rev’d Jerry Steele to become a lay reader in his new parish, he completed the year of required studies in the evenings under his minister’s guidance and supported his parish for some years before moving to Montreal Lake First Nation as principal of the local school and, subsequently, to Prince Albert where he taught at Queen Mary’s.
While in Montreal Lake, the Rev’d Hopper continued as a lay reader at St. Joseph’s Church, taking up the same duties at St. David’s Church in Prince Albert. Arriving in Prince Albert in 1965, he has lived in or near the city ever since, often worshipping at St. David’s Church where he currently serves as honourary assistant. He is, he says, “a fixture” there and has had the blessing to see the parish grow and change over time. He is especially keen to praise the parish’s strong and active lay leaders, noting as well that the current Rector, the Rev’d Guy Bellerby, has to stay for a long time yet because, at his age, the Rev’d Hopper couldn’t possibly break in a new priest!
During Bishop’s Short’s episcopacy there was a shortage of clergy. Along with several other committed lay readers, the Rev’d Hopper was encouraged by the Bishop to pursue non-stipendary ordination. Under the guidance of the Dean and others, the lay readers undertook an additional 18 months of study in preparation for ordination and in 1972 the Rev’d Hopper was ordained Deacon and, the following year, Priest. At the time that his priestly vocation was being discerned, the Rev’d Hopper’s wife passed away unexpectedly, leaving him in 1971 with three children to raise, significant volunteer commitments, work and study. It was an overwhelming time during which he remained as active as possible.
When he retired from teaching in 1980, the Rev’d Hopper served St. Bridget’s parish for four years and then returned to St. David’s. He also assisted at St. George’s, Prince Albert and was priest-in-charge of Big River for five years. Since his time at Big River, he has been an honourary assistant at St. David’s.
It is important, says the Rev’d Hopper, to remain as active as possible as you age. He has certainly done this! At 85 he has been the Legion chaplain in Prince Albert for three years, continuing with his responsibilities at St. David’s as well. In addition to this, he has also been actively involved in scouting for sixty years. For this incredible achievement he received the Silver Wolf medal in 1993, presented by then Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn in Ottawa.
By the time someone reaches 85 years of age, they have seen a great deal. The Rev’d Hopper’s own experience – from boy’s school in England, to the military, to teaching, marriage, parenthood, and priestly ministry – has exposed him to countless people, places and events. And yet, he is quick to note, one thing happened on the morning of his 85th birthday he had never experienced before. Early that morning the telephone rang and when he picked up the phone he heard, he says, “a melodious voice” singing happy birthday. It took no time to realize he was being serenaded -- for the first time in his life -- by a Bishop.
May God be praised for the life and witness of the Rev’d Geoff Hopper.
O LORD our heavenly Father, mercifully hear our prayers, and grant a long and happy life to thy servant Geoff, whose birthday we remember this day. May he grow in grace as his years increase, and ever live so as to please thee; in the power of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
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