Hopkinson, Harold Robert

Brookside, NS

February 04, 1951 - October 07, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Harold Robert Hopkinson, who died suddenly at his home in Brookside, Nova Scotia, on October 7, 2025.

Born in Halifax, Harold grew up surrounded by family and friends in Hatchet Lake, including the love of his life, Donna, whom he married in 1971.

Having learned all he needed from school at a young age, Harold quickly joined the workforce — first as a breakfast cook at Dalhousie University. He often told the story of hitchhiking into work each morning at 4 am and how Dalhousie was where he learned to cook eggs. From there, he moved on to driving delivery trucks around the city. In 1970, Harold began “slinging beer” at the Red Fox Tavern. He did that for 14 years and “made a fine living”, working long days and counting tips with Donna late at night — usually over a barbecue and a beverage while their daughter Lori slept.

In 1984, Harold found his true calling when he became a car salesman at Halifax Chrysler. For the next 30 years, he sold Chrysler products at several dealerships across the city. For most of that time, he was the top salesman in Atlantic Canada and a Master Member of the Chrysler Sales Guild. Harold loved selling cars. He was passionate about helping customers find the car they needed (not necessarily the car they wanted!) and took pride in looking after them long after they left the dealership. Harold never forgot a customer’s name and shared in their excitement at each sale. During that time, he made many lifelong friendships, not only customers but also his co-workers, sales and service managers, and dealership owners. He absolutely loved going to work each day and that was because of the people.

Harold worked incredibly hard, though he would say it never felt like work. He also played hard. The shenanigans with his co-workers both at work and after hours were stories that will live on but should likely not be repeated in print. Harold often said he couldn’t have asked for better neighbours. The practical jokes among friends in his Brookside neighbourhood were legendary. These friendships grew to become true extended families rarely seen today. He knew he could always count on them for anything. He enjoyed travelling with family and friends — from Chrysler trips, to yearly Thanksgiving getaways, to Florida vacations. Harold loved playing crib — no one counted faster than he did (accuracy is another story!). He also liked to fish and hunt. But Harold was most in his element at his home, entertaining friends and family, which he did often. After his retirement, Harold developed a passion for walking and spoiling the neighbourhood dogs. He also developed a knack for finding deals, whether it was the cheapest bottled water in the city or a ‘2-for-1’ ham, he was quick to remind people that “It was only a deal if you needed it”. Harold was an incredibly generous man and never hesitated to help anyone, without question or complaint.

Harold leaves behind his wife Donna, daughter Lori (Calvin), and siblings Laura, Shirley, Bernadette, Rosemarie, David, and Darrell, and many nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly. He was predeceased by his parents Minerva and Fred, and siblings Beatrice, Carl, George, Junior, Raymond, and Barbie.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Steele Wheels Motor Museum, 66 Otter Lake Court, Halifax, Nova Scotia. “Now pay attention!”, the gathering will be informal — just as Harold would have wanted — a time to share stories, laughter, and memories together. There will be a short eulogy at 3:00 pm, followed by an open invitation for anyone to share their own Harold stories.

Interment will take place at a later date.

If you wish, memorial donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or St. Timothy’s Anglican Church in Hatchet Lake.