John R. Hooper's Obituary
John R. Hooper, 84, of Methuen, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Lawrence General Hospital. He was the beloved husband of the late Sharon Louise (Donovan) Hooper.
Born on June 18, 1941, in Biddeford, Maine, John was the son of the late Laurence R. Hooper, Sr., and Priscilla (Giguere) Hooper. A proud veteran, he honorably served his country in the united States Army and then for twenty-one years in the National Guard. He was a dedicated member of the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment (1/10 CAV), and maintained a lifelong passion for all things military.
John enjoyed a long and stable career as a cannery worker at Crown Cork & Seal in Lawrence, Massachusetts, retiring after thirty years of dedicated service. He served as a Boy Scout leader, instilling values of leadership, service, and outdoor stewardship in the young men under his guidance.
He cherished simple pleasures and family traditions. An avid camper and traveler, John explored many corners of the United States with his wife Sharon, including a memorable visit to Mount Rushmore. The couple also traveled to Italy together. Above all, he found his greatest joy and peace at the family camp on Little Ossipee Lake in Saco, Maine, where he spent countless hours relaxing, reflecting, and creating lasting memories with loved ones.
John is survived by his two devoted step-sons, Ian Blanger of Tennessee and Jake Blanger of Texas; his sister-in-law, Martha Donovan-Dow and her husband Ron of New Hampshire; two nieces, Theresa King of Maine and Carrie Fisher of Connecticut; his nephew, David Hooper of Florida; and several great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate John’s life during calling hours on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Methuen Family Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen, MA. A funeral service will follow at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory to the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, 10 Reed Street, Haverhill, MA 01832, or online at https://www.northeastveterans.org.
To share memories, offer condolences, or sign the online guestbook, please visit www.methuenfh.com.
Methuen Family Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hooper family during this time.
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