When Swan’s Island’s only general store burned in July (WWF Aug. 05), islanders banded together to make sure that everyone would have food. Several business owners expanded their hours and inventory.

According to the owner of Claire’s Kitchen, it was Southwest Harbor resident L.J. (Lewis Jr.) Hopkins who helped to make their increased services possible. For the past 12 years, L.J. has traveled on the ferry, six days each week, to deliver food, supplies, furniture, appliances, mail and prescriptions to Swan’s Island residents.

Claire Diecyzk reports that L.J.’s faithful service made it possible for business owners to better accommodate the needs of some islanders who were most affected by the loss of the store.

“He’s out here six days a week and without him we couldn’t do it,” said Dziezyk. “He’s very dependable.” Hopkins boards the ferry with his van full of merchandise 304 days a year. He takes his job very seriously. He doesn’t recall missing very many days in all of the 12 years that he’s been making deliveries.

“In winter you’ve got some very nasty weather,” commented Hopkins. “The main thing is that you get the product delivered. It’s your job. You’re obligated to do it. There are very few times that I can remember that we missed.” Hopkins explained that he inherited the delivery job from his mother, Bonnie Hopkins, when she retired. “Mother did it for almost 40 years,” shared Hopkins. “There were eight stores out here then. Mother retired and I took over.”

Hopkins delivers to stores, the electric coop, the fishermen’s coop, the post office, and the pharmacy and to private individuals.

“I deliver mail, prescriptions, groceries for stores and supplies,” said Hopkins. “I deliver oil, gloves and bands for lobstermen. I don’t charge for delivering prescriptions, I figure they’ve got enough problems.”

Swan’s Island’s postmaster, Debbie Staples, describes L.J. as not only “a great delivery person” but also “a great person.” She confirmed that he faithfully transports mail to and from the island six days a week. She added that he also makes deliveries to her gift shop and vegetable stand. “He’s a very big help,” shared Debbie.

The manager of the fishermen’s coop, Kathy Clark, concurs that L.J. is “invaluable” because of the many services that he provides for the residents of Swan’s Island.

“He does so much for everybody out here,” said Clark. “I don’t think a lot of people don’t realize how much he really does do.”

Clark said that L.J. delivers a lot of soda, parts and oil for fishermen. If a boat breaks down, L.J. does his best to gets part out to the island as soon as possible. And as if he weren’t already doing enough on the island, Clark stated that L.J. also started a newspaper route on the island last spring.

L.J. has enjoyed making deliveries to Swan’s Island all of these years. He likes helping people, he says, and he enjoys being his own boss.

“It’s been a good job,” said Hopkins.