It is with extreme sadness that we have to report on the fact that one of our members has been taken far too soon
Lionel Hopgood was battling an aggressive form of cancer which the community helped him get the treatment to have a chance to fight the disease. Unfortunately for Lionel’s friends and family he passed away on Saturday morning (7 December 2019).
Lionel’s death notice was published today:
Passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 7, 2019, aged 42 years. Much loved husband and soulmate of Rebecca, best dad in the world of Thomas and Daisy, beloved son of Keith and Judy, and son-in-law of John and Rosemary, beloved brother of Hayden, and brother-in-law of Jason, and Sarah.
Messages may be addressed to The Family of the late Lionel Hopgood, c/- PO Box 39001, Christchurch 8545.
A Service to celebrate Lionel’s life will be held in our Westpark Chapel, 467 Wairakei Road, Burnside, on Thursday, December 12, at 10.00am.
Most of the basketball community will remember Lionel for his calm and controlled demeanor on the court, where he helped the Wolverines win the Men’s Premier title in 2015, and then played for the club’s Division One team more recently (before rejoining the Men’s Premier Team).
In addition to this, Lionel has represented the region at higher levels, playing for both the Canterbury Rams and the Christchurch Cougars in the NZ NBL, and representing Canterbury on a tour in Argentina in 2014.
We are sure that many more stories will be shared about the legacy that Lionel leaves behind, and hope that a large number of us can make it to his memorial service on Thursday to share and hear about Lionel.
