George Peter Hoffmann

George P. Hoffmann went peacefully in his sleep, Thursday morning, November 25, 2010, at his home. He had struggled bravely at least two years with Parkinson's Disease and many more with Myelodysplasia Syndrome. Born Friday, December 7, 1928, in New York City, Manhattan Island, 303 E. 63rd Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue to Charles William Hoffmann Sr. and Katherine A. DeFino. His Paternal grandparents were George P. Hoffmann I (after whom he was named) and Louisa Fried Lof. Maternal grandparents were James J. DeFino and Rosina Coreo. His Paternal grandparents were born in Italy. They immigrated to America before the Statue of Liberty.

George graduated from Public School 76 Manhattan on January 27, 1942 and attended High School of Commerce in New York. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950 he trained at Camp Roberts, CA. from January 10, 1951 to July 31, 1951. He was stationed at Yuma Army Test Station (now known as Yuma Proving Ground) on August 1, 1951, through December 31, 1952, and discharged at Fort Bliss, Texas on January 1953. He met Gonzala Santos at a dance on February 8, 1952, and the thunderbolt hit him. He returned to New York which he loved, after his discharge from the Army but couldn't stay away. He returned to Yuma, worked as an Insurance Adjuster for a short time, and as an Inspector at the old Arizona Inspection Station on the old bridge before he went to work for First National Bank of Arizona on the corner of Main St. and 2nd Ave. from June 1955 to March 1966 as an Installment Loan Officer and he also worked at the Yuma Mesa Branch and Somerton Branch. He went on to work for the new Arizona Inspection Station in California on July 1, 1968, until his retirement on July 1, 1988. George and Gonzala were married at the old St. Francis of Assisi Church on 8th Ave on June 19, 1954, they were happily married for 56 years.

George loved his wife, his children, and grandchildren and great-grandchild, his son-in-law and his friends with a passion. There was no bigger Yankee fan than George. He loved the Yankees, Yankee Stadium, and there was no other place in the world for him like New York. When the San Diego Padres left Yuma he wrote a letter to George Steinbrenner to bring the Yankees to train in Yuma.

The wake will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, December 6, 2010 at Johnson Mortuary, and the Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. The Mass will be held Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. A Celebration of Life and his Birthday will be held at Johnson Mortuary after the burial on December 7, 2010. George loved to celebrate his birthday and all Christmas decorations and preparations stood still until after his birthday. Happy Birthday George.

Please sign the guestbook at www.yumasun.com/obituaries.

Published in The Yuma Sun on December 4, 2010