Monte J. Hopper, active in community
Monte J. Hopper, 84, of Millsboro, and formerly of Avon, Conn., beloved husband of the late Cynthia R. Hopper, passed away Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Conway, Ark., after a brief illness. He was born Feb. 7, 1938, in Havana, Ark., son of the late Winfred and Georgia (Fox) Hopper Parker.
He was raised in Arkansas. He graduated from University of Arkansas in 1959 and earned his master’s degree in actuarial science from University of Iowa in 1961. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He served in the Arkansas and Massachusetts National Guard from 1961-67, reaching the rank of staff sergeant. He moved to the Hartford area in 1962, to begin his actuarial career at Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, and later worked for Travelers Insurance Company and Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, from which he retired in 1996 after 20 years of service. He was regarded as a specialist in disability insurance, and prior to his retirement served on many industry committees and made numerous presentations at actuarial, life insurance and health insurance events. He was an associate of Society of Actuaries and a member of American Academy of Actuaries.
Monte and Cindy raised their family in Avon, Conn., where he became active in the community. He and Cindy were members of Avon Republican Town Committee. He was elected to Avon Board of Education four times, serving a total of 13 years, the last six of which were as chairman. He also served as a board member, vice chairman and chairman of Capital Region Education Council. He served as chairman of Land Acquisition Committee of the Avon Land Trust, a board member of Connecticut Waterfowl Trust, where he was a docent at the sanctuary, a board member of Avon Historical Society and a town constable. He was also a member of West Avon Congregational Church. He and Cindy were very active for many years in Avon Dollars for Scholars, where they established an endowed scholarship in memory of their daughter, Jill, after her death.
In 2015, he and Cindy moved to a wonderful community in Millsboro, where he remained active after her death. Monte leaves behind countless friends from time spent in Avon, Millsboro, Mountain View, Ark., and Venice, Fla.
Monte leaves his son, Derek R. Hopper and his wife Victoria of Ambler, Pa.; cherished grandchildren, Alexandra, Matthew and Michael Hopper; and his brother, George W. Hopper of Plainview, Ark. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Cynthia (Richmond) Hopper; his beloved daughter Jill A. Hopper; and his brother William L. Hopper.
His family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20, at Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon, Conn. Family and friends are invited to his funeral service at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 21, at West Avon Congregational Church, 280 Country Club Road, Avon. Burial will follow in West Avon Cemetery next to his beloved wife Cindy and daughter Jill.
Contributions may be made to the Monte & Cindy Hopper Scholarship, c/o Avon Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 706, Avon, CT 06001.
For directions or condolences, visit carmonfuneralhome.com.
