John Hopkins

Category

Pittston, PA

Hopkins graduated from St. John’s High School where he was Captain of the football team and All-Scholastic in 1932. He graduated from St. Thomas College (now University of Scranton) in 1937. Hopkins started his coaching career at Pittston Township High School as the football, basketball & baseball coach. In 1947 & 1948 he led Pittston Twp. to an almost undefeated season with the only losses to St. John’s in the season finale. He coached St. John’s football team from ’58 to ’63 and concluded his football coaching career in 1965 as an assistant at Northeast High School. In basketball, his teams won the East Anthracite League titles in ’51, ’52, ’56, ’58, and ’59. Hopkins passed away in 1968 and is survived by his wife, the former Mary Gallagher; sons, John (current GAR basketball coach), Michael (former Sewn Catholic basketball coach), and Patrick, and executive accountant; two daughters Mrs. Ann Simko and Mrs. Mary Theresa Sketchus; and 11 grandchildren.