"Darci and family, Although I know words can not ease the loss you feel, just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Darci, I now know where your kindness comes from. Love, Melissa Manning"
In loving memory of
Edward J. Hoffman
September 14, 1946 - May 25, 2020
It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Edward John Hoffman on Monday, May 25, 2020, at the age of 73. Born in Kingston, NY, on September 14,1946, he was the son of the late, George and Verna Hoffman, both of German descent, of Kingston, NY. Edward graduated Kingston High School in 1965, continuing on to electrical college & trade school. He further served in the Army Reserves in the late 1960's.
Ed, or as his mother, called him, "Eddie", married the love of his life, Linda Ashlaw, on June 8, 1968. In addition to his wife, Ed is survived by his daughters, Danielle (Michael) Pagliaro of Kingston, NY, and Darci (Scott) Kurzynski, of Colonie, NY; his granddaughter, 3 years of age, Ava Pagliaro, of Kingston, NY; his brother George (Cheryl) Hoffman of Ravena, NY, and several nephews and nieces in the NY capital region.
Ed began his working career at IBM in Poughkeepsie/Kingston, as a mainframe operator, and was a tireless worker, supporting his family for almost 30 years in the field, and enjoying the company's family day outings at local fairgrounds in the 1980's. Ed was generous with his time and volunteered with many organizations, including Trinity Lutheran Church, mowing the lawn and helping to maintain the grounds. He was frequently called upon as everyone's go to handy man, possessing the patience and knowledge, which those he loved, lacked. Ed took tremendous pride in maintaining his home and connecting with nature through his countless birdfeeders and trail cameras, which he used to capture wildlife wandering his property at all hours of the day. Ed was further a survivor of Hodgkin's Disease, and took great pride in his overcoming that feat in 1999.
Ed's second family was those that shared in his passion of Corvettes, as part of The First Capital Corvette Club. Ed was able to enjoy his favorite time of the year, the summer months, with dear friends. He could be found with the top down on his freshly waxed Corvette, listening to Neil Diamond on their weekly drive outs. He also greatly enjoyed his pool, taking cruises to the Caribbean with his family and spending time with his dogs, most recently, his beloved Beagle, Daisy. Ed was a one of a kind man with a gentle soul. He encouraged education and positivity with his daughters and above all else, he was their hero. He will be missed dearly by many and will be remembered for his quiet approach to being the nicest & most caring person you will ever have met. Those wishing to remember Ed in a special way may make memorial contributions in his name to the Ulster County SPCA or Saint Jude's Children's Charity.
Arrangements entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, Kingston, NY. In the interest of public safety and in accordance with New York State's Executive Order in response to coronavirus, the service and burial in Wiltwyck Cemetery, Kingston, will be held privately. A tribute for Ed can be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for his family.
Tributes
"Dear Linda & family, Very sorry for you loss... Ed will be missed by all. May he Rest In Peace. Love, Gene & Barbara Waterbury"
"Linda, I was saddened to learn of Ed?s passing. I remember all of you from so many years ago and seeing Ed frequently at Ulster Savings. Please know of my prayers for Ed, for you and your family. As you know better than anyone, Ed was a genuinely nice man. Peace! Al Gruner"
"Linda, I was saddened to learn of Ed?s passing. I remember all of you from so many years ago and seeing Ed frequently at Ulster Savings. Please know of my prayers for Ed, for you and your family. As you know better than anyone, Ed was a genuinely nice man. Peace! Al Gruner"
"I am so sorry for your loss. Danielle and Darcie you are in my thoughts."
"Dear Linda, Just to let you know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! I remember many good times with you and Ed! Of course, I remember many laughs! I know your faith and loved ones will see you through. Ed was a good person, and you were a great team! Stay strong, Linda! Love, Jean"
"I am so sorry for your loss."
"I will miss my cousin. His kind and generous spirit. His love of nature. His caring soul. God bless Linda, Danielle, Michael and Ava, Darci and Scott, George and Cheryl. RIP Ed. Till we meet again. "
"Such a sad and shocking loss. We send caring thoughts and ?hugs? to Linda and family as you go through this terrible time. ????
Jan and Rich Ackert"
"What a sad loss to our community of St. Remy. I meet Ed and Daisy regularly. I pass him with my dog out walking. Just last week he was warning me about the bears in the area and to be careful. He told me about his trail cam and what he sees. I will truly miss see him out and about."
"Linda, Danielle, Darcy -- We will fondly remember so many good times with "tall skinny dude" as Nikki named him --hanging out at Frozen Rainbow, Tommy's, and the river. Every time I see a fork, I chuckle...and will forever more. Will miss Ed's videos and our chats about them. I'm so happy we all went to the Corvette Caravan. As many others have said, Ed was truly a nice, kind, gentle man. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you all. xoxo Wayne & Erica"
"Ed was the the only man I knew who outcooled Steve McQueen. I admired and envied his passion, brilliance, kindness and am glad to have been a small part of his life I send my love and condolences to Linda, Danielle, Michael, Ava, Darci and Scott"
"Reading about Ed helped me to know what a kind, loving man he was. My husband Russ ran into Ed walking Daisy the evening before, they talked for a while about Daisy and Russ asked about being privileged to see the Trail Cam. We watched it that night, listening to Ed?s narrative and being in awe of the bear, fox, tiny deer foal and porcupine his cam recorded. We are so saddened by his passing. Our kids knew your daughters and I certainly recall you Linda and all your work with the school. We express our deepest heart felt sympathy. Pam Atkins and Russ Karasik "
"Ed leaves behind a group of online wildlife enthusiasts who have been together for about eleven years, learning from each other. We have watched many raptor nest cams together and more recently began to follow Ed's lead as he shared his trail cam videos. We are heartbroken to learn Ed has passed away, and want to share our condolences with his family. While, over the years, many of us have shared more personal aspects of our lives than our online nicknames, I will simply sign by the names we all call each other. From: R4, Patti, Dix, Pop, SCluv, Kaiah, Hiker, Meee, HbrgC, LC, Bunnie, RR, HW, and new friend Jaybird. Fly high, RTD. We will miss you!"
"Ed leaves behind a group of online wildlife watchers, who have become friends over the eleven years or so we have watched nest cams and backyard videos together, learning from each other. In our own way, we are grieving, and want to share our condolences with Ed's family... Ed's trail cams recently became a highlight for us all to enjoy. When we first met each other, we used our nicknames: Ed was RTD (Ralph the Dog). As time passed, we became closer, and began sharing a little about our personal lives. We grieved with Ed when the family pet died, and rejoiced with him when he found Daisy. We prayed for you, Linda, when you had your surgery. We went (virtually, of course) with you and Ed on your Corvette trips. We were overjoyed when Ava was born. We will miss Ed terribly. We will never forget him. From... R4, Patti, Pop, Dix, Kaiah, SCluv, Hiker, LC, Meee, RR, Bunnie, HW, HbrgC, and new friend Jaybird."
"It hard to believe Ed has passed. He was a good friend and will be truly missed. Ed was always a caring person and we had many fun times and adventures on our car trips. My thoughts and prayers are with Linda and his family that he loved so much."
"Dear Linda and family! Nancy and I are very sorry for you loss. We have been praying for you and your family so that God can comfort all of you. May God bless you and your family. Sincerely, Michael Millan, Nancy Herrera and kids."
"Dear Linda, Danielle and family, My thoughts, prayers and love are with you all at this time. May you find comfort in knowing others do share in you loss this day. remember that life has only changed not ended. Our God who sustained Ed in this life will now hold him in his arms forever. I would often see Ed and his furry buddy walking along St. Remy road. God be with you all in the days ahead. Ron"
"There are no words that describe the loss that we are feeling. Ed was one of the good guys and a friend to many. Our hearts break for Linda and the girls and the rest of Ed's family. Heaven is blessed to have our "SPECIAL ED"."
"Ed was such a wonderful kind caring person always helping when new techs started at IBM, later I met and became friends with Linda . Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers "
"We are skilled to hear of Ed's passing. He truly was a gentle spirit and will be missed! We are so blessed to have met Ed and Linda through Trinity. Much love and prayers, Mary and Dan Roth"
"No truer words, Ed , the kindest, gentlest, and caring of people. As extended family we will truly miss Ed. Let's attempt to emulate his positivity and generosity. God's Peace be with Linda and all the family."
"Sincere condolences to Ed's family. He was a great guy and will be missed by many."
"Ed will really be missed by many of us at the men's breakfast at Trinity Lutheran Church. "
"Bob and I were shocked to learn of Ed's passing on Monday. We went to church together, we went to school together and we were born on exactly the same day, just in different cities. I enjoyed his trail cam videos with all of the wild life that passed near his yard at night, especially the last one with the bear and his first sighting of a porcupine. Along with the response to his last video on Sunday I said "You and Linda stay safe and stay well." and he replied that he and Linda were doing well. On the next day, (Monday) he was gone. Bob and I and many others will miss this kind and gentle man. God Bless and RIP Ed until we meet again."