Sylvester Hopkins was born to the late Lyman and Roberta Hopkins on April 7, 1937 in Bethel, North Carolina. Shortly after he was born, the Hopkins family migrated to New Haven, CT. Sylvester received his formal education in the New Haven Public School System.
In 1955, Sylvester joined the United States Army and served for three years. He was honorably discharged in 1958.
After the military, Sylvester began singing with a group called The Scarlets and The Five Satins. Known to many as Sly or Hop, he also sang with his brothers in a group called the Hopkins Brothers. He wrote songs that were recorded and published such as “Your Kiss of Fire”, “Shake Cheri”, and “Cry Baby”, which was recently featured in a Mercedes-Benz Christmas commercial. In 2023, he wrote songs entitled “Did You Take Time” and “God Is”. Sylvester opened shows with many musicians including James Brown and was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1960, he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Collins, and they married on October 26, 1963.
In the year 1988, Sylvester accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. He retired from Yale-New Haven Hospital as an Operating Room Technician after 33 years of service.
Sylvester passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024 at The Grimes Center in New Haven, CT.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife Mary Ann Hopkins of 60 years; daughter, Deborah Hines (Pete) of Hamden, CT.; three grandchildren, Joy Morrison of Cheshire, CT., Pete Hines (Nickia) of Hamden, CT., and Tiffany Hines of Texas; sister, Margaret Outley of West Haven, CT.; six great-grandchildren; three great great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was predeceased by his brothers, James Hopkins, Lyman Hopkins, Jr., Franklin “Frank” Hopkins, and Aurthur “Count” Hopkins.
A celebration of his life will take place on Monday, August 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Mt. Zion Temple Pentecostal, 28 Dickerman St, New Haven, CT 06511. Friends may call Monday at the church from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Interment will be Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 12:00 noon at CT State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort to the Hopkins family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com