Canandaigua: Fred Hoffman died at his home May 28, 2013 of a long term heart condition at age 64. He was predeceased by his parents Dorothy and Charles. He is survived by four siblings; Charles (Kathy), Dorothy, Lorrie (Dick), and Frank (Alice). He also had eight half siblings; David, Daniel, Donald, Cathy, Steven, Vickie, Rickie, and Connie. Aunts & uncles; Ruth Hoffman Paternostro, James Hoffman, Cecelia Hoffman Potter. Many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Fred lived nine years longer than his heart physicians projected. As a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran, he did as best with life as he could. He loved going to concerts, hanging out with his friends (Dale and Mark), playing/talking sports, political bantering as a staunch republican, and continuing his dedication to the Marine Corp. He did not want a viewing or funeral. He requested that he be cremated with ashes directed to Arlington Cemetery and the remainder buried with his father at a Military Service at Mt. Morris, Chapel Street, Cemetery. Allowing for all the siblings to come together, this will take place July 2014. Donations may be directed to the Veterans Outreach Program Canandaigua/Rochester or local Battered Women’s Program. Arrangements entrusted to the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home , Inc., Livonia – Honeoye. To send a condolence and for further information please visit:
www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Fred was a real piece of work and told the wildest stories. The Marines made Fred what he was and he really cared for his grunt buddies. Fred visited with us a few weeks in South Texas a few years ago and went everywhere in the Big Pick-up Truck he rented. Trouble did not find Fred while he was here; but, he paid a small fortune for the truck rental which, of course, was Fred being Fred. I’m sure Fred’s cousins would want to mention the time Fred visited their farm as a young kid and followed the cow trail back to the barn wherein Fred got stuck in the mud up to his waist and lost a shoe while being pulled out of the mess with a long tree branch. Rest in Peace brother.
I met Fred under rather unusual circumstances – I tracked him down at the Emergency Department of our local hospital in Canandaigua for his sister Dot. When I arrived the nurse said that he was okay to go but he was still in bed. So I told him who I was, to get his butt out of bed, eat his box lunch that they had given him in the car and let’s go! They even gave me a box lunch as well so that we would leave. Of course he wasn’t pleased that I wouldn’t move the car until he put his seat belt on but he soon got over it when I put Country music on the radio for him. It became a real adventure knowing Fred from that point on. To me he was a combination of Art Carney and Scrooge. All who knew him will miss him.
FRED NEVER: 1. Met a stop sign he didn’t roll thru.
2. Drove a car that wasn’t on the fumes – EMPTY!
3. Took his foot off the brake.
4. Really experienced the joy of a car vacuum.
5. Dodged a deer.
6. Was “really” the designated driver.
7. Drove a car he couldn’t trash. Hence, “Fred the rolling trash can.”
ATTENTION: Save this date: July 26, 2014
There will be a Military service held for Fred on Saturday, July 26, 2014 (next year) at 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel Hill Cemetery in Mt. Morris, NY.
Anyone attending is welcome to join the family in attending the Hoffman Family Reunion which will be held at the Veterans’ Hall on Routem 36 in Sonyea, NY at 12:00 noon
THE HOFFMAN FAMILY
Well what can we say about FRED… He was always so predictable…when ever we saw his name on the caller ID we would tell the tow truck driver Fred’s out of “GAS” again before we even picked up the phone. And 9 out of 10 he was. Let alone he had run out of gas Fred would crank on it until the battery had gone dead. Now he could’ve had a few tanks of gas with the money he spent on service calls but it was always a pleasure dealing with Fred. He really wasn’t a person that would maintain his vehicle, (so if he wasn’t out of gas), he needed a repair that should’ve been done many miles ago. So we would bandage it up to get him by because he was hell bent on getting his Winnebago on the road, (I’ve heard this for many years). He said he could cruise around in it as the gas mileage was only 2 gallons less per mile then his Malibu, so I’m thinking he would’ve had many more gas calls from us. Every time we did something for Fred I would take him home while his car was in the shop and he would tell me all the time there about this jamboree in Ohio and his Winnebago. His whole face would just light up from the thought of it all. So Fred when the jamboree in Ohio comes around this year I know you will be there with a drink in 1 hand, a smoke in the other and a smile on your face. Good bye my friend you will be missed…..
Fred had twelve siblings. I’m sure all of us have a different version of him.
For me, Fred marched to a different drum from the day he was born. The best quotation I can use to describe him……
“Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”
We will miss you dearly 🙁
Sister #2,
Lorrie