Farmington - Wayne C. "Crabby" "Hoop" Hooper, 85, of Kingfield, died early Tuesday morning at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington. He accomplished his three main goals; working until his death, wasn't alone when he passed, and dying peacefully. He was born in Concord, MA, Oct. 29, 1936, the son of Norman and Martha Mary (Mackay) Hooper and received his education in local schools. He worked for several years for DeFelice Brothers in the construction field and then worked for the town of Bedford, MA for the highway department and later in the fire department. While at the fire department, his schedule allowed him to open Hooper General Construction and Landscape with his wife Grace, whom he married on Oct. 9, 1965. She passed Dec. 12, 2014. They were long-time residents of Bedford for many years.
In 2004, they "retired" to Maine to be closer to their daughters where they owned and operated Wayne Hooper Firewood, working with his family, specializing in landscaping, plowing, and firewood. During the past season, they delivered 235 cord of firewood.
Wayne enjoyed hunting in his younger years as well as fly fishing with a close friend in New Hampshire. He was a Life Member of Musketaquid Sportsmen's Club and he enjoyed cooking. His most recent endeavor was with his close friend, Jonathan Jordan, owning and operating the "Crabby Sugar Shack" during sap season. Known for his dry wit and his incredible work ethic that he passed on to others, he lived by the motto of "work to live....live to work."
He is survived by his daughters, Sandra "Sandy" Hooper and Patricia "Patty" Churchill and her husband, Braden, all of Kingfield; 3 grandchildren, Jay Ruggiero and Danny Ruggiero, and Matthew Churchill; and the Jordan family of Kingfield who were close friends but more like family.
A "Hooper" Style BBQ will be held at 1 pm, Sat., May 7 at Sandy's home, 12 Caboose Lane, Kingfield. The family suggests that those who desire, consider memorial gifts in his memory to St. Jude's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to stjude.org. Memories may be shared with his family at www.wilesrc.com. Cremation care has been cared for and provided by the Wiles Remembrance Center of Farmington.