I am so sorry for your loss.  It is heartbreaking.  Joey was clever, smart, witty, and adventurous.  He loved the challenges represented by a new or interesting assignment.  After Hurricane Katrina, the Agency was considering temporarily relocating the office to Baton Rouge- it was Joey that took the initiative that was needed to keep us working in the New Orleans office.  
Joey could be counted on to bring a smile or lighten the mood.  Just one small example would be when he responded to the annual question regarding accepting gifts from foreign sources.  Joey responded "Other than the Faberge Egg from Putin, no. "  
He will be missed.

Like many others I remember Joey for his witty sense of humor. He made the special moments shared with my family so much more fun and entertaining. He was a modern-day renaissance man who marched to the beat of his own drum. From high school graduations, Dads Weekend college football, or holidays in Cincinnati, we all remember something that Joey did. When he ordered two Mexican entrées for dinner is a classic that we still laugh about today. Or the time he went AWOL for an entire Illinois football game following several hours of early morning tailgating. Then later that night he bought every appetizer off the menu at a Moose Lodge only to disappear behind a curtain to play video poker. No matter what the occasion, Joey always left his mark. I am so thankful that he was willing to come and take part in these times with us. But I believe his most enduring gift was that he made them even more indelible in our collective memories. I will be forever grateful to him for loving my sister, being kind and generous to my daughters, and adding his unique touch to all the good times we shared together. My deepest sympathies to his family.

I met Joey in late 2006 at the Spotted Cat and over these many years he became such a good “medium friend”. Not my bestie and not just an acquaintance, but the kind of person who’d reach out every so often to catch up, despite living far away for most of our friendship. He was totally dependable for a witty provocation. When school or work brought me to New Orleans, he’d make time for lunch. He was a good, kind person -- the type who would attend a movie with you even if he’d already seen it. The first time I ever tried a sazerac was with him, at the Sazerac Bar, and I snapped this photo of that awkward shoulder of his.  I am so very sad that we’ve lost him and incredibly thankful to have had him as a friend. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Words cannot express the sorrow I feel.  Joe, and I worked together at the NLRB for close to 24 years.   I remember during our first few years working together, I would pass his office and he would be sitting on his legs which drove me crazy.    I would tell Joe, when we get older you will not be able to sit like that.  He would say, he was comfortable.  As the years passed, I would look in his office and ask why he wasn't sitting on his legs, and of course he would have something smart to say.   You could always expect
Joe 's demeanor to be the same, regardless of the situation, but you better believe he would have a sarcastic response or come back with a silly, dry joke.  I admired how he loved his family beyond words.  
Rest in Love, Joey

There are no words. I started about two months before Joey and  worked with him during his entire career at the NLRB. He was way more than a colleague. He was a great friend and confidant. He brightened my day every time I saw him and could always make me laugh with a joke or a sarcastic remark. I will miss him immensely. Prayers for all of you and everyone’s life he touched.

My Aunt Michele brought Joey into my life and our family and I am so grateful that she did. Joey made the trip from New Orleans to Illinois for not only my high school graduation, but also for an Illinois vs Indiana football game that I was cheering…. words cannot describe the gratitude I have for him traveling all that way and making so many memories that I will cherish forever. His big smile was contagious and you were always laughing when with him. We love him and we miss him deeply. ❤️

The family and friends of Joe Hoffman have my deepest sympathy over the passing of Joe. 

While I only met Joe once or twice during my career with the NLRB, I always found him to be a gentle and kind soul.  In my conversations with him, it was clear that he cared deeply about his coworkers.  May his memory be a blessing to you.

I have so many memories with Joey, but a favorite is of a long Thanksgiving weekend we spent together here in Cincinnati. Homan Thanksgivings are not for the faint of heart, yet Joey blended in perfectly with all the turkey day shenanigans...sitting crossed legged on the love seat with a diet coke. As with family get togethers, after the dishes were cleared the pouring of wine picked up steam and someone (I can’t recall whom) suggested a fireworks display was in order. We all bundled up and joined together on the front lawn to watch the display with lots of ooohs and ahhhs. In true Midwest fashion, a neighbor across the street had several inflatable turkeys and pilgrims in his yard. Joey glanced over at me, with that mischievous twinkle in his eye and said, “lets you and I go over and tackle those turkeys” Calmer heads prevailed...but this year...I will tackle a turkey for you! 

The next day we went to the annual lighting of the Christmas tree on Fountain Square. I had mentioned a local band, the Naked Karate Girls, were playing. After the tree lighting and listening to the band for a bit... I looked over and he was pouting while sitting on the curb. I asked what was wrong? Are you cold? Bored? Want to go home? And he said, “that band is neither naked, nor are they girls and no one is doing karate!” 

I applaud you my dear friend for living life on your terms!  You never walked the straight and narrow and were never afraid to stray. If something caught your eye you were gone! Sometimes to the dismay of those of us trying to find you. But you always knew where you were. Continue this next journey with the same sense of adventure. Always order two dinners, all the appetizers on the menu and something new for the table to try.  

Most of all I thank you for loving my sister so, I’m so blessed you were her person. Till we meet again, cheers to you!!

The Bray’s have many fond memories of Joey, so I’ll try to keep this short. Joey was the first family member to show up at my high school graduation, the first one to offer to drive me around to all my friends parties that weekend, until he realized there was a lack of wine served at said high school graduation parties. As my cousins and I aged he would continue the tradition of being the first one to show up to all of our college graduations as well. This is where he famously coined the phrase “ girls in college don’t buy their own beers at a bowling alley’s.”  Joey always showed up for us, and I will remember him so fondly. Until we meet again, hopefully at a Mexican restaurant. Rest well my friend.

Joey, myself, and Wade Nunez formed the initial three-man Rifle Squad of Archbishop Rummel's High School Marching Band in 1981. We were all Freshmen at the time and Joey learned to twirl a rifle well before moving on to play trumpet in the band full-time the following year. Joey always struck me as a kind and gentle soul, with never a crass word or bent eye about him. He tended to be more quiet back then; never flashy or braggadocious about anything - even when he could have. To my regret, we didn't stay in-touch following high school but I'm fairly certain the character we knew him as when kids - that reflective, kind, and pleasing presence - was the man he held-up and gave to the world. Rest In Peace my friend, Joey. - Abraham Elhiany (Layani)

OBITUARY

Joseph A. Hoffmann, Jr.

October 22, 1967 – June 14, 2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

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