Herbert F. "Skip" Hooper, 80, of Willimantic and Florida, husband of Elizabeth (Carchidi) Hooper, died Saturday evening Dec. 31, 2011 at home. He was born June 25, 1931 in Hartford the son of the late Herbert and Myrtle (Minor) Hooper. Skip served a total of thirty one years in the U.S. Military and loved every minute of it. Beginning with the National Guard, he continued with the Navy, the Marine Corps Reserve and the Army Reserve retiring as Sergeant First Class. He was a member of the Teamsters and had been employed by Republic Oil for thirty two years. He was a member of Fin Fur and Feather Club, life member of American Legion and VFW, serving as past commander of American Legion and head of the Color Guard. Skip was also a member of Eastern Star Masonic Lodge. He was an avid hunter, golfer, gardener and enjoyed working with his sons. He received a Master Gardener Certificate in Florida. Skip was a fan of the NY Jets and UConn Basketball. His family members, who were most important in his life, will sadly miss him. "To know him is to love him." In addition to his wife Elizabeth of fifty seven years, he is survived by four sons, James and his wife Pamela, David, Alan and Brenda and Jason and Barbara; grandchildren Eric, Kyle, Dillon, Jessica, Rachael, Kelsie, Ashley and Izzy; a sister Ellen Olsen and her husband Ray, a brother James and his wife Shirley, several nieces and nephews and numerous friends. He was predeceased by his step father Larry, sister Mary and brother David. His family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday Jan. 4th between 6:00 and 8:00pm at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00am at St. Joseph Church, 99 Jackson St. Willimantic with assembly in the church parking lot at 9:45am. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit
www.potterfuneralhome.com
.