The Exeter location has a long tradition of dedicated funeral directors.
Russell Hopper originally established the funeral home and furniture
business on Main Street in Exeter in 1928. He hired Kenneth Hockey in
1937. Ken left to join the Royal Canadian Navy but returned and became a
partner. Irvine Armstrong joined the firm as a student in 1944. In 1948
the funeral home relocated to the present location on William Street and
the name changed to Hopper-Hockey Funeral Home. Russell's son-in-law
Robert Fletcher and Irvine Armstrong took over Ken's interest in the
business when he left to travel as a representative for a casket
manufacturer and they took over Russell Hopper's as he retired in 1963.
During 1976 renovations to the building expanded visitation areas and
reception area as well as adding space to be used as warehouse for the
furniture store that still continued on Main Street. Irv and Bob worked
well together for years until Irv retired in 1988 after 44 years of
service. The business was restructured and the store closed. In 1990 Bob
sold the funeral home business to Bill Haskett, however remained active
until his retirement in 1994.
In 1993 Bill Haskett and Hopper Hockey Funeral Home embarked on major
renovations and a total update of the facility, expanding seating
capacity and becoming totally wheelchair accessible. In 1998 the
addition of a paved, well-lit and convenient parking lot was welcomed to
the community.
Sharing staff, equipment and resources the two firms were among the
first to introduce personalized memorial cards with colour photos, grief
seminars, video tributes and provide information and receive condolences
through a website.
In 2007 Hopper Hockey Funeral Home Limited amalgamated with C. Haskett
and Son Funeral Home to form a new company to continue as Haskett
Funeral Homes Ltd. Bill Haskett is President and his son Colin Haskett,
also a funeral director is Vice President.
