Sad Announcement
Jun 7th, 2007 by Don Ray
I just received information that Colin Hopton has passed away.
Dear folks,
FYI, Colin passed away yesterday. His funeral will be tomorrow, Friday, in Dolega at the St. Francis Catholic Church right on the plaza at 9 am. He leaves a wife, Elsi and a baby daughter Collett. I don’t know any other details. he was always kind to us and helped us in our move to Dolega, he will be missed.
Nancy and Joe Levin
Colin was well known on many of the Yahoo groups and has helped many people. While Colin and I didn’t always agree, I always knew that his heart was in the right place. He always wanted everyone to appreciate Panama and to enjoy it the way it is and to not be a negative influence in changing it. He truly loved Panama. In that regard, Colin and I were 100% aligned.
I would ask that you take a few moments and remember Colin and his family in your prayers.
Colin will be missed around the world.
This is indeed sad news. I looked forward to meeting Colin, and most likely arguing with him. Plus, I wanted to see just how good he did look in his kilt! My sympathy goes to his family.
Anne
My condolences to Colin’s family as well. He will be greatly missed.
What a sad day. A man who stood up for what he believed in, whether some others believed differently, should be admired. That kind of honest courage is a rarity. His open invitation to help people learn the Panamanian way and his outrageous sense of humor will be sadly missed by those of us familiar with him.
I am so so sorry to hear about the passing of Colin, A couple days ago as I was reading the Yahoo Messages boards, & I actually wondered where was Colin? haven’t seen him on the boards lately, as I told my wife, now I know why. The last time I visited Chiriqui, I met Colin. He was always willing to give his advice on his experiences in Panama to assist anyone who was in need. Always told it like it is without caring what people thought, He will miss him on ” all” Gringo’s messages boards and my heart goes out to his family. God bless.
I have never met him but always enjoyed his lively online presence. I’m very sad to hear that he is gone. My condoleances to his loved ones.
I didn´t meet him either, but those who suffer are always in my prayers. Otherwise, I feel I would be wasting my prayer time. My sympathies to his family and friends.
My wife and I were fortunate enough to have been able to spend many, many Saturdays with Colin.
We had an established Saturday routine where the three of us would make a trip to PriceSmart in David together.
Colin’s devotion to his wife Elsi and most especially to his infant daughter, Collett, were truly remarkable and admirable.
Perhaps it was because of his own physical challenges that Colin was able to identify so strongly with and assist Collett so remarkably, as only a parent can do, with her many physical challenges.
I like to think that it was just because Colin was Colin.
Allen McDonald, El Galloviejo®
Although I never met Colin, I always admired his feistiness on the Low Budget Panama Yahoo Group. Sure, sometimes he could be a bit abrasive, but what Scotsman can’t?!! As many here have attested to, Colin was always willing to help others and share his experience. He was always straight up, whether you liked it or not!
My sympathies also go out to his family (I do hope someone is conveying these messages of sympathy to his widow?) and wonder if there is any kind of a trust or memorial fund being considered for his young, severely challenged daughter?
Juanita from Toronto, Canada
dear don-ray,
as you know i”lurked” on your website for many months and i
continue to do so at “”gringos”.
one of colin’s last posts i remember was on the real estate in
bugaba”four or five friends could get togather and live in four houses
and be caretakers of each others houses” i am paraphrasing but he
was a very inclusive guy and very passionate about panama and
panamanians and i admired his passion.
my heart and prayers go out to his wife and daughter please keep
us informed of any fund. ellen
Thank you all for your kind words about Colin.We knew he had been ill but his death was unexpected.
We are doing our very best to ensure that Elsi and Colett will be looked after.
Kind regards,
Lyn & Allan Hopton(brother and sister in law)
Don Ray,
We received a sad call this morning. Colin and Elsi’s young daughter Colett has passed away. The funeral is Friday at 9 am at St. Francisco de Assisi Church in Dolega on the Plaza.
Hi Nancy, I am sorry to hear that.