Obituary for John Winfield Hodgkins
John Winfield Hodgkins, age 66, died peacefully on February 3, 2020, surrounded by his family at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, New Hampshire. He was born October 21, 1953 in Bangor, Maine, the son of Pauline and Winfield Hodgkins. He grew up in Millinocket, Maine, with his parents and younger brother, David.
Often described as “one of the kindest humans,” John leaves behind a legacy of caring deeply for others. He was a true giver and would do anything for his children, family, and all those he encountered in his daily life. John developed lasting friendships with people spanning all ages and cultures.
John was a lifelong learner who was passionate about teaching others. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a degree in biology and earned his masters at the University of Lowell in engineering and biology. John taught science at Alvirne High School, in Hudson, NH, for 41 years, 24 of those as department head. Staff and students describe him as a positive leader in his school community who always had a smile on his face and deeply cared for his students.
Mr. Hodgkins was selected and educated by NASA to pioneer space science in New Hampshire schools. He worked hand in hand with National Geographic on expeditions to map The Allagash River in Northern Maine. John embodied and encouraged getting closer to nature and the benefits it provided. In addition to teaching, John spearheaded Alvirne’s community gardening program and spent many hours as a drivers’ education instructor, ski instructor, tennis coach, and piano teacher. He was truly a “master teacher” who taught children and anyone he came into contact with in a compassionate and patient way.
John loved to travel and sought adventure. In addition to living in Alaska, he traveled the world with friends and family. He spent time in Vietnam, Germany, Scotland, Canada, and beyond. John was an outdoorsman who found time to hunt, fish, hike, camp, and swim whenever he could. Whether he was home in NH, Maine, or halfway across the world, John would find someone he knew or that knew him. He had a way of touching people, and they remembered him. John’s love for nature and life was infectious, and his passion for the natural world was obvious through his deep knowledge about animals, plants, and science.
John was an active member and usher at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Nashua and also played the organ at Saint Christopher's Catholic Church. Throughout his life, John shared his musical gifts by singing in choirs and playing the piano and trumpet.
John is survived by his mother Pauline, brother David, and sons Ian, Gavin, and Grant, daughter-in-law Vicky, and granddaughter Maia. John is also survived by Jean Hodgkins, his nieces Caitlin and Marissa, as well as many Vietnamese friends and family.
John’s family requests no flowers. Instead, those who wish to honor Mr. Hodgkins may donate to the John Hodgkins Memorial Scholarship Fund. Checks can be made out to "John Hodgkins Memorial Scholarship Fund" and can be mailed or dropped off to any St Mary's Bank, or sent to John's son, Gavin, at 46 Stillwater Drive, Nashua NH 03062
SERVICES: A service will be held on Saturday February 8, 2020 at the Church of the Good Shepherd at 214 Main Street in Nashua, NH at 12 noon. Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at Alvirne High School, 200 Derry Rd, Hudson, NH 03051 at 2PM. Please join us in celebrating John Hodgkins’ life and memory. The DAVIS FUNERAL HOME, One Lock St., Nashua has been placed in charge of arrangements. (603-883-3401) “ONE MEMORY LIGHTS ANOTHER”.
Often described as “one of the kindest humans,” John leaves behind a legacy of caring deeply for others. He was a true giver and would do anything for his children, family, and all those he encountered in his daily life. John developed lasting friendships with people spanning all ages and cultures.
John was a lifelong learner who was passionate about teaching others. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a degree in biology and earned his masters at the University of Lowell in engineering and biology. John taught science at Alvirne High School, in Hudson, NH, for 41 years, 24 of those as department head. Staff and students describe him as a positive leader in his school community who always had a smile on his face and deeply cared for his students.
Mr. Hodgkins was selected and educated by NASA to pioneer space science in New Hampshire schools. He worked hand in hand with National Geographic on expeditions to map The Allagash River in Northern Maine. John embodied and encouraged getting closer to nature and the benefits it provided. In addition to teaching, John spearheaded Alvirne’s community gardening program and spent many hours as a drivers’ education instructor, ski instructor, tennis coach, and piano teacher. He was truly a “master teacher” who taught children and anyone he came into contact with in a compassionate and patient way.
John loved to travel and sought adventure. In addition to living in Alaska, he traveled the world with friends and family. He spent time in Vietnam, Germany, Scotland, Canada, and beyond. John was an outdoorsman who found time to hunt, fish, hike, camp, and swim whenever he could. Whether he was home in NH, Maine, or halfway across the world, John would find someone he knew or that knew him. He had a way of touching people, and they remembered him. John’s love for nature and life was infectious, and his passion for the natural world was obvious through his deep knowledge about animals, plants, and science.
John was an active member and usher at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Nashua and also played the organ at Saint Christopher's Catholic Church. Throughout his life, John shared his musical gifts by singing in choirs and playing the piano and trumpet.
John is survived by his mother Pauline, brother David, and sons Ian, Gavin, and Grant, daughter-in-law Vicky, and granddaughter Maia. John is also survived by Jean Hodgkins, his nieces Caitlin and Marissa, as well as many Vietnamese friends and family.
John’s family requests no flowers. Instead, those who wish to honor Mr. Hodgkins may donate to the John Hodgkins Memorial Scholarship Fund. Checks can be made out to "John Hodgkins Memorial Scholarship Fund" and can be mailed or dropped off to any St Mary's Bank, or sent to John's son, Gavin, at 46 Stillwater Drive, Nashua NH 03062
SERVICES: A service will be held on Saturday February 8, 2020 at the Church of the Good Shepherd at 214 Main Street in Nashua, NH at 12 noon. Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at Alvirne High School, 200 Derry Rd, Hudson, NH 03051 at 2PM. Please join us in celebrating John Hodgkins’ life and memory. The DAVIS FUNERAL HOME, One Lock St., Nashua has been placed in charge of arrangements. (603-883-3401) “ONE MEMORY LIGHTS ANOTHER”.