Obituary of John Hoffman

A private ceremony will be held for John Hoffman who passed away peacefully in Santa Cruz on March 22, 2014. He was 87 years old. Born in Rapid City, South Dakota, he joined the US Navy at the age of 17 and served his country during WWII. Following the war, John worked in the lumber industry on the West Coast, eventually settling in the California Bay Area where John met and married his spouse, Mary, and worked 20 years at Hunts-Wesson Foods in Hayward, CA. After retiring from Hunts, he then pursued his dream of opening and managing his own tavern in San Leandro. Mr. Hoffman was civic minded and served the community through several organizations including the Exchange Club of San Leandro where he served a term as president. John and Mary retired to Maui and became active members with AARP and the local VFW. John always enjoyed the warm days of Maui, Wednesday lunch with close friends at the Hideaway Restaurant, sunsets over the West Maui mountains, and his passion for golf. John and Mary shared many happy days golfing on Maui whenever possible. He was preceded in death by Mary in 2012 and moved back to the Bay Area to be near his family. He is remembered as a loving husband, dearest and devoted father, grandfather, and friend. Many fond memories will be cherished by his loved ones for his generosity, eagerness at challenging puzzles, and for traveling adventures. His gregarious personality and amazing sense of humor will be missed by all of his friends and colleagues that he came to know through the years. He is survived by his sister Evelyn; sister-in-law Deana; his son and daughter-in-law Robert and Debby; his daughter and son-in-law Lorain and Chuck; and his daughter Stephane. He is also survived by five grandchildren, one great granddaughter, six nephews and their spouses and children. A private committal off of the Maui coastline is planned.