Leland "Sumner" Hopkins

Leland "Sumner" Hopkins II, a beloved family man, community volunteer, mentor, and friend passed away peacefully at The Gardens at Newbury Court in Concord, MA on August 6, 2020 following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 88 years old.

Sumner was born on February 17, 1932 in Redfield, South Dakota, the only child of Leland S. Hopkins and Inez Mallery Hopkins. In many ways, Sumner experienced the quintessential Midwestern American upbringing. He had fond childhood memories from his father's bakery in Redfield where he enjoyed catching donuts as they fell from the machine. His dog 'Wags' was known to travel to the school gates in time for dismissal to walk him home. Throughout, Sumner's parents instilled in him fundamental values which guided the way. These included the importance of hard work, the value of an education, the need to give back, and the satisfaction inherent in earning ones way in life.

The family eventually relocated to Glendale, California. It was there where Sumner began charting his course of great achievement. He attended Glendale High School and graduated in 1950. During his senior year, he was recognized with the National Exchange Club (NEC) Unity for Service Award. This provided him the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to visit the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) offices and meet with J. Edgar Hoover. From there, Sumner attended Yale University on a Naval ROTC scholarship. His passion and enthusiasm for his alma mater endured after graduating as a member of the Class of 1954. It wasn't uncommon to hear him spontaneously break out with the refrain: "Bulldog, bulldog, bow-wow-wow, Eli Yale!"

From 1954 to 1957, Sumner served as an active duty engineering officer on the naval destroyer, the U.S.S. McGowan. His service in the Navy remained one of his proudest accomplishments. He would go on to attend Harvard Business School, graduating in 1962, and embark on a thirty plus year career in investment banking. Over time, Sumner became a CFA Charterholder and spent his entire career with BayBanks. He held multiple positions including heading the company's investment department and later rose to be President of BayBanks Brokerage Services, Inc.

Sumner was a resident of Concord, MA since 1962 and served on the town's Finance and Natural Resources Committees. He belonged to the Concord Country Club for nearly fifty years and was the Club's President from 1979 to 1981. He was a long time member of the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Concord. Upon retirement in 1995, he spent over twenty years living half of the year at the Harbour Ridge Club in Palm City, FL, where he volunteered as Treasurer of the HOA. It was there that he scored his one and only hole-in-one. In his free time, Sumner played golf, squash, and tennis. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and travelling the world with the love of his life, Marian.

Sumner is preceded in death by his parents Leland S. and Inez Mallery Hopkins. He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Marian Weary Hopkins; his three daughters Sarah Martin (Peter), Martha Cornett (Michael), Rebecca Mahoney (Timothy); grandchildren, Joey Martin, Hannah Martin, Mallery Grimm (Darin), Chris Cornett, Katie Mahoney, and Patrick Mahoney.

A celebration of life will be held when conditions permit. The family would like to thank the generous caregivers of The Gardens at Newbury Court where Sumner resided the last four years of his life. In recognition of Sumner's military service, flags will fly at half-staff in Concord, MA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to:

New England Deaconess Association
80 Deaconess Rd
Concord, MA 01742
https://www.nedeaconess.org/giving.htm

or

Alzheimer's Association
225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17
Chicago, IL 60601
online at: alz.org