Donald Ralph Hope

Donald Ralph Hope of New Britain, Connecticut passed away peacefully in his home on April 28, 2026, at the age of 78. He was born on March 15, 1948 to Ralph and Barbara Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio. Don spent his youth in Baltimore, Maryland and Stamford, Connecticut. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University, majoring in English, and from Boston College with a masters in social work.

Don met his wife, Susan, in Boston. The couple got to know each other for 4 years before starting a family. They later moved to northern Vermont where they had two more children. After 11 years working in social service, Don decided to pursue a law degree. At age 44, the family relocated to West Hartford, where Don graduated from the UCONN School of Law. He would go on to combine his interest in law and passion for therapy through his independent practice for family therapy and divorce mediation.

Don was moved by the natural world. He took many camping trips with his young family, and in later years, rode his motorcycle through the countryside. He enjoyed boating and fishing, and at age 60, completed an open water swim from Alcatraz Island. Don expressed himself through creative writing, photography, and an occasional wacky invention. He was an involved member of the Unitarian Society of Hartford, and he built cherished memories as a devoted and loving grandfather.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Susan; his children Jennifer, Stephanie, Andrew, and their spouses; his five grandchildren; his siblings Elizabeth and Douglas; and a warm community of family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 16th at 11a.m. at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Ave. Hartford, CT 06105. The event will also be available over Zoom at https://hartforduu.org/event/don-hope-memorial-service/. A luncheon will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Unitarian Society of Hartford Memorial Garden at https://secure.myvanco.com/YHA5/campaign/C-16DFX, Sandy Hook Promise at https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/, or a charity of your choosing.