Bernard J. Hoffman, Jr. was born in Medina, Ohio in October of 1954, the third of six children, and the first son of Bernard and Mary Hoffman.
Known as “Jerry” to his grade school chums at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wooster, where he served as altar boy, and as “Bernie” during his middle school years at Culver Military Academy where he developed homesickness and an interest in horses, he was best known simply as BJ.
Growing up on his family’s farm during the 1960s, BJ developed many admirable talents and traits, from an impressive aptitude for fixing anything, to the flexibility to be able to change plans at a moment’s notice, to the deep dedication required to take care of the farm animals and the family members. As any farmer knows, adaptability, flexibility, resilience and patience are minimum requirements for success, and BJ enjoyed success in many arenas.
As a junior on the football team at Wooster High School he met his match, Traci Hanger. They graduated a year apart in 1973 and 1974, and together from BGSU in 1978. They married in 1979 and raised two superb sons during their 45 years as a loving couple.
He served on the Board of Directors of the National Mink Breeder’s Association as well as the Ohio Mink Breeders Association in the 1980s and was active with the Beekeeper’s group at ATI. In addition to managing the family farm with the help of his brother and with deep appreciation for his “international work crew,” he worked in the Engineering Department for the City of Wooster for 25 years. His spirit of cooperation, dedication to learning, camaraderie, and general good humor made him admired by all who knew him and loved by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved sister Christine. He is survived by his brother Michael Hoffman, sisters Kyle Hoffman, Elizabeth Ladrach, and Lisa Kurjan, his spouse Traci Hanger, their two sons Brian and Garrett, many treasured nieces and nephews, nine great- nieces and -nephews, and his adored grandchildren Ethan, and Hazel who he just missed meeting.
Services will be conducted by dear family friend Pastor Paul Lintern, at McIntire Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E Larwill Street in Wooster at 1:30 PM on Sunday, December 22 (because BJ would not want anyone to miss work for this).
Calling hours from Noon to 1:30 at the funeral home, because BJ would not want anyone to miss work for this.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Traci
Sorry for your loss. Your family is in our prayers
Randy and Linda Dye
Traci
Sending hugs and prayers of comfort.
dbs
Sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
I am sorry for your loss. Sending thoughts and prayers of comfort to your family.
Sending my condolences to the entire family for your loss. Traci, I’m thinking of you and the boys. It’s been years since I’ve seen you and BJ, and I’m sorry for your loss. Sending my prayers and love.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Terribly sad to learn of BJ’s passing. Prayers up for Traci and the rest of the family. He will be missed.
It’s so hard to lose a loved one. My heart goes out to the family and friends.
My condolences to all the family, and prayers for each of you.
My prayers go out to you and your entire family, Traci. This loss is a shock. My hope is that the good will, respect and love that you are held in by our community will produce the peace needed as you travel this road together. I am so very sorry.
Traci,
So deeply sorry to learn of this loss. Sending you and your family thoughts of comfort and love.
Oh, Traci!! Holding you close in our hearts. Sending love.
I am so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
To all of the beautiful Hoffmanns….I am so sorry that you have lost your dear brother. Kyle and I are very close and she has regaled me with family stories through the years. I know both Liz and Lisa, and am honored that I also knew Christine, I too come from a large family and thus can feel this loss for you.
Love, Georgia
Tracy, my heart is breaking for you and your family. So sad to hear about BJ. Such a conflict of emotion with the birth of the new grandchild and the passing of your sweet husband. We are praying for you and your family. Sending love and hugs, Rosie, and Dan Shanahan.
Sending our love and sincere condolences to you and your wonderful family. You are in our prayers.
All our love and support during this time. We are here if you need anyone, always.
So very sorry for your loss. BJ was a wonderful friend and we shall miss him greatly. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Rod & Gail
Traci. I am so sorry for your loss. I am so grateful for the many wonderful years you had together.
Traci so very sorry for your loss. Prayers to your family
Traci, we are keeping you and all your family in our thoughts & prayers. So, so sorry for your loss – BJ was just a dear and will be missed greatly. Healing prayers in this hard time.
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear husband, father, brother and grandfather. Prayers for all of your family.
My hearts just breaks for you and your family. Please let me know if you need anything.
Traci, I am so very sorry to read about the passing of your dear husband, coupled with the joy of Hazel’s birth! I believe they met on the journey. As I sit here trying to navigate my first year without my wonderful husband Bob, I Can only Imagine the emotions you are having right now. Stay strong my friend. Peace, Ann Burton
Traci, I offer my heartfelt condolences to you and the Hoffmann family. I am so sorry for your loss & pray for you to find comfort & peace.
Traci, I offer my heartfelt condolences to you and the Hoffman family. I am so sorry for your loss & pray for you to find comfort & peace.
Loving condolences to the Hoffman- and extended families. My heart surrounds you.
Traci and Brian, Our thoughts and compassion we extent to you and all in your family. May you find peace, although difficult, during this time. You are loved.
Traci & family,
Carla and I are so sorry of BJ unexpected passing. Our heart, our prayers and our hugs go out to you and your family. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
Larry joins me in offering our condolences. BJ was a great guy who brought joy to so many. My heart breaks for all of you.
Sincere condolences to you and your family for your shocking loss. Wishing you peace.
Dear Traci and Family,
We are saddened learning of BJ’s passing. We met The Hoffman Family when they moved to Wooster and had the privilege of being neighbors the next road South. Thankful we saw BJ briefly while we were home last year.
Our deepest sympathy,
Paul and Jane Stout
Traci and family, my heart goes out to you and the boys and your two beautiful grand children. What a shock this must have been. Love and prayers to you all during this difficult time. Take care my friend.
I am so sorry to learn of BJ’s passing. I enjoyed working with him at the City of Wooster and looked forward to his mink farming tales at our Christmas dinners. My sincere condolences to the family.
I’m so sorry for this huge loss in you and your family’s your lives. My condolences and sincere sympathy.
Traci,
We are very sorry for the loss of BJ for you and your family. Praying for strength and comfort in this difficult time.
Traci, I am very sorry to hear of your great loss. Praying for God’s comfort for you and your family during this difficult time.
BJ was both an inspiration and a kind and informative host when Francis and Merilyn, would bring my sister and I (their young grandchildren) to the mink farm. My sister, Carol, and I were full of excitement and questions. BJ was always patient with us and we never forgot these times. I had the pleasure of seeing BJ just over a month ago and was able to say “thank you”, face to face. Thank you BJ and please Rest In Peace.
Traci and your family, losing a partner and parent is so difficult. Memories exist, but pain returns often. My love to you and your children. Clearly a wonderful family!
My sincere sympathies for your shocking loss. May all the memories of your long and loving life together with BJ sustain and comfort you forever.
Sending hugs and prayers to and yours.
Traci so saddened to hear this news. I enjoyed meeting him this summer at the reunion. Clearly you had a wonderful partnership and life together. Praying for your peace through this difficult time.
Traci and family,
There are no words that can express my profound sadness for your loss. Everyone loved BJ in my high school years. Humble, kind, unassuming and so so funny. Such a good man, who found such a good woman. You were meant to be and death can never take away the love you have shared for all these years. My brother Will and I send our love and prayers for comfort and strength in the days ahead. Day
Offering up prayers for all of you during this sad time ,Traci. Much love.
Words cannot express how saddened we are to learn of BJ’s passing. We will always remember his smiling face.
Sharing my sincere condolences with others. Saddened for your families loss. B. J. was a classmate at St. Mary’s. He participated in all subject lessons adding to the daily wisdom and humor that filled those rooms. He was cherished by all. We are blessed with happy memories.
So sad for your deep loss; my sincere sympathies as you grieve.
BJ was a small part of my childhood; Francis and Merilyn, my brother Dave and my grandparents, would take us to the mink farm when we’d visit them. BJ, and your entire family, were friendly and welcoming. Thank you! I’m grateful I got to see BJ, and others, at a luncheon this fall with Aunt Helen.
Blessings and comfort to you all.
I was saddened by his death. My condolences. May moments of peace come upon you.
Traci, I’m so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
Traci and family, So sorry for your loss. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Traci, I’m so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
Traci, you are in our thoughts and prayers. BJ was a good man and we were fortunate to know him. Please realize that you are loved in this sorrowful time.
Such a wonderful person and tremendous loss. My deepest condolences to Traci, the family, and his friends. I have very fond memories of times with the Hoffmans, most when we were all much younger, but a more wonderful family cannot be found. Chris and I wish you all peace and healing in the days ahead.
Traci and Hoffman family,
We were so sad to hear of the passing of BJ. We have such fond memories of the times we were together. He was always so happy every time we saw him. He will be missed. You are all in our prayers.
Traci I am so sorry for your loss. Heartfelt. I grieve with you and send warm thoughts to to you and yours.
Traci, I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers during this difficult time.
Traci and family,
I cannot remember ever a time when BJ wasn’t smiling or laughing in school. He could turn anyone having a bad day into a good one.
Please accept my condolences. Traci.
May it be of comfort knowing your family will be my thoughts and prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Traci, Brian, and Garrett – you have touched our lives in wonderful ways and we send our sincere condolences for this loss.
Traci,
I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Traci, Brian, and Garrett – I just found out about BJ’s death this morning. I am sorry for your loss and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers 😢 🙏🏽
Lyn Miller