Harold Thomas Hofman Jr.

HAROLD THOMAS HOFMAN, JR. (Hop) of Lynn, Massachusetts passed away on October 15, 2015. Harold was born on April 20, 1951, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Harold T. Hofman, Sr. and Pearl (Adams) Hofman. He was the youngest of three children. He spent his formative years in Darby Township, PA. and graduated from the Darby Township High School. In high school, he was a member of the basketball team and was instrumental in helping his team win the Pennsylvania state championship. Harold continued his education at Cheney State College and then transferred to Boston College to play basketball.

After college, he was employed by the Edison Electric Company, the Long Island Railroad and Amtrak. In June of 2014, Harold retired from the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad where he was the Chief of Equal Opportunity and Diversity. He worked approximately 42 years in the transportation industry. He was most proud of the many Lynn Classical High School students and Lynn residents that he helped to gain employment in the industry. He always felt that he had a responsibility to help others.

Harold had a passion for cooking, traveling and sports. He attended culinary school in New York and at one point co-owned a catering company. In addition to cooking, he loved sports. He coached the Lynn Classical Basketball team for the last 20 years. He enjoyed coaching the JV Team with his longtime friend, Kenny Turner. Harold had a great love for traveling. He looked forward to his annual trips to his One Happy Island, Aruba.

Though cooking, traveling and sports were dear to his heart, Hop had a great love for music and spent many hours listening to and playing music. He had an enormous jazz collection. While he dabbled on the piano, his instrument was the Alto Saxophone. His sisters have great memories of Harold walking them down the street still playing his sax. His daughters have great memories of him playing music for them on the piano.

Harold was a fun loving person; always ready for a party. His positive energy was contagious. He would light up any room he entered and would leave a long lasting impression.. He never hesitated to let you know he cared or was thinking about you. He would always say,“ Did I tell you I loved you today?” “Where’s the love?,” and “Just Checking on Ya!”.

Harold leaves to cherish his memories, his best friend and partner of 26 years, Michelle Mitchell; his two daughters, Aliyah Hofman (TJ) and Najah Hofman; his son, Gjasi Leite; his adopted daughter, Maya Newton; his sisters, Pat Hofman and Rev. Paula Alexander (Harolton); his cousin who was like a brother, Thomas Williams; his uncle, James (Duttie) Williams; his nieces and nephews, Denise Reynolds (Fred), Shari Russell, Spencer Deshields, Sasha Gilbert and Mark Hooper - whom he talked to every day after work; the Mitchell family, Roberta, Allen and Allison; and his many great-nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss him. In True Hop Fashion, “This is his story and we’re sticking to it!”