Edward Anthony Hofler, 90, of Burke, VA passed away on March 21, 2022. Ed was born in Albany, NY on November 19, 1931 to Edward Aloysius Hofler and Florence Corcoran Hofler. He graduated from St. Paul’s College in Baltimore, MD and was ordained a Catholic priest in 1958. He engaged primarily in campus ministry at various Paulist foundations until he married Gerry in 1977. He spent the rest of his career engaged in vocational rehabilitation services in the private and public sectors until his retirement from the U.S. Department of Education in 2014.
Ed is preceded in death by his sister, Mary Anne Hofler O’Sullivan. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Gerry Hofler; his daughters, Julie Penland (David) of Chantilly, VA, Kate Gilmore (Ross) of Midlothian, VA, and Jenny Friedman (Kirk) of Springfield, VA; his brother, Terrence J. Hofler, and beloved nieces and nephews. He was the proud grandfather to Claire, Noah, and Savannah Penland; Jack and Brooks Gilmore; and Cameran and Brooklyn Friedman.
Ed fully embraced his roles as a father and husband, cheering his girls on at their childhood sporting events, volunteering at school functions, and enjoying annual beach and amusement park trips. A talented piano player and singer, he passed his love of music on to his family by singing with a barber shop quartet group and later with the Men’s National Chorus. Upon his retirement, Ed and Gerry had more time to enjoy their favorite hobbies of swimming and walking at Burke Lake Park. Ed loved spending time with his seven grandchildren – reading, swimming, singing, baking bread, and making smoothies and waffles for them. He was the best baby holder in the entire family .Anyone who met Ed knew him as a truly kind, patient, and gentle soul who lived to serve others.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 am on Thursday, March 31 at Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, VA with a reception following the service at DeMaine Funeral Home in Springfield, VA. Burial will take place in Pittsburgh, PA at a later date.
The Mass will be livestreamed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmc3eLVUAFtwCWG63QP4zQ
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Ed’s honor for causes that were important to him:
Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter: https://ffcas.org/
George Mason University Friends of the Center for the Arts: https://cfa.gmu.edu/give
The Inova Heart and Vascular Institute: https://support.inova.org/page/3747/donate/1?locale=en-US
