Feb. 27, 1917 – April 11, 2014

MANCHESTER, CONN. — Services for Philip Simons Hopper, 97, of Manchester,Conn., who died peacefully after a short illness on Friday, April 11, 2014, at Woodlake at Tolland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, will be private.

Services will be under the direction of Holmes Funeral Home.

Mr. Hopper was born Feb. 27, 1917, in Elmira, N.Y., the son of Lawrence L. and Grace Simons Hopper.

He was a resident of Manchester since 1942.

He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1940 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. He moved to Hartford, Conn., in 1940 after joining Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, where he retired in 1984.

During his distinguished 44-year career, he was awarded 10 patents for reciprocating and jet engine design work. In 1954, he received his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from UConn.

He was an avid sportsman and hunter. He was a registered Maine hunting guide, winner of numerous sailing championships at Columbia Lake and medalist in local, national and world skeet shooting competitions.

His hobbies included photography, carpentry, fishing and raising hunting dogs.

He was an accomplished gunsmith, a member of The Rockville Fish and Game Club and The South Windsor Landowners Protective Association.

He and Margery Foster Hopper, his wife of 64 years, created many special memories with family and friends at their Woodland Terrace cottage on Columbia Lake.

Mr. Hopper was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margery Foster Hopper; and one sister, Ruth Hopper Rand.

Survivors include three sons, Barry R. Hopper and wife, Judith, of Natchez, Bruce L. Hopper and wife, Linda, of San Rafael, Calif., and Philip L. Hopper of San Antonio, Texas; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staffs of White Oak Community and Woodlake at Tolland.

Online condolences may be made to holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com.