It is with heavy hearts that we the family announce the passing of Joseph Maxwell “Butch” Hoffman on February 16,2020 at the age of 72, in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with loving family at his side.
He was the son of the late Max and Sis (Catherine) Hoffman. Born in Glace Bay he resided in this community for the rest of his life. He worked for the former town of Glace Bay for almost 30 years where he was highly respected by many of its employees.
In his younger days he was active in hockey, baseball, broomball and soft ball. Later he became a Minor Hockey League Coach. He was inducted into The Cape Breton Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1968 Oland’s Bay Boys and the 1971 Glace Bay Jr. Miners Baseball team. He was also inducted into the Glace Bay Wall of Fame and the Maritime Hall of Fame as a member of the 1968 Oland’s Bay Boys.
Later in life he took up golf and was a member of Lingan Golf and Country Club where he enjoyed the friendship of many other golfers.
He was especially close to his older brother, Jimmy. Together they played sports, travelled on family vacations and to hockey and ball games in Montreal and New York.
Butch was an avid Montreal Canadiens and New York Yankee fan and was fortunate to travel to these cities to attend their games.
He was very involved in family. He was the go-to-guy whenever problems arose, always ready with a helping hand and sound advice.
Most winters he could be found at the local rinks with his two grandsons cheering them on.
He is survived by his wife, Jean (Bishop), daughter Lori, son Kyle, grandchildren Mitchell, Keighan, Kylie, Mannix and Kingston. He is also survived by brothers Jimmy (Loretta) and Ralph (Belinda); sisters Betty Saccary and Marilyn Sarty, sister-in-law Terry (Doug) Sheppard, many special nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly, also his special buddy, Blake.
Besides his parents he was predeceased by his youngest brother Kenneth and brother-in-law Bruce Sarty.
According to his wishes cremation has taken place under the care and direction of Patten Funeral Home, His ashes will be scattered by family in the spring.
Special thanks to our families for all the love and support they have shown him during this time. He would have been so grateful to know how much they cared for him. Thank you also to the nurses, doctors of the ICU and Palliative Care. To Cori, and the paramedics who arrived on the scene our sincere Thanks. Thanks also to neighbours Mary Pat and Greg Gillis, Catherine and Bugs Seward, all those who visited, sent cards and food.
Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.pattenfuneral.com
HE IS GONE
You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he will
Come back.
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him,
Or you can be full of the love that you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him and only that he is gone,
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty
And turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want:
Smile, open your eyes,
Love and go on.
David Harkins
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