Stephen Alexander Hoffman

February 5, 1947 - January 18, 2025

Steve was born in Windsor, Ontario to John Wilfred and Helen (nee Nellie Hannent) Hoffman. He attended Vincent Massey Secondary School in Windsor where he excelled in sports. Being six foot-five, he attended Kent State University, Ohio, in the late 1960’s on a full football scholarship and then on a full track and field scholarship where he excelled in discus and hammer and held the school record in javelin. He left just before the big Vietnam war protests and riots and completed his geography B.A. at the University of Windsor.

In the 1970’s he moved to Vancouver. Always loving the outdoors, he was a beach lifeguard from 1983-1995 at various beaches and was head guard at Sunset Beach where he made many lifetime friends.

He always had a VW camper van ready for a road trip to hike, cross country ski, and to just get out to the outdoors. But in town, he preferred to bicycle everywhere. He liked to work out at a gym, played pick-up basketball, and swam a mile a day until his health took a turn when he was diagnosed with Lyme disease in the early 2000’s. From there he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure; but while his body deteriorated his mind remained sharp.

He always championed the common good, was concerned about the fate and state of the world, and was a responsible citizen who always voted and wrote many letters to the editor of the local newspapers.

He read the paper daily, looked forward to the Sunday New York Times’ crossword which he completed quickly unless the NFL games were too interesting. One always wanted to be on his team playing Trivial Pursuit. He had a way with words and could not be beaten at Scrabble even if the opposing player used the open book policy (and had a computer handy).

A vegetarian, he was a good cook (from beans in his pressure cooker to hot Indian dishes) and was known for his carrot cake.

He loved the sun and the ocean, body surfed in Puerto Escondido and snorkelled for hours on Caye Caulker. It was there that he met his future wife, Mary Kucera and they spent 40 years together, the last 25 years in Victoria, B.C. near Elk Lake where he walked his dog, Rusty, and then Pancho.

He will be remembered as a good person, with a sense of humour, a deep voice and hearty laugh. He loved the rock music from the ’60’s, and then also the blues and folk.

He is survived by his sister Blair (Jay) Hoffman-Morris, niece Hilary; brother Peter (Patty), nephews Perry and Rhys; his wife Mary and many friends.