Obituary of Francis J. Hoffman, Jr.

Francis J. Hoffman Jr. Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force (retired) born 1924 in Jersey City, New Jersey, son of the late Francis J. Hoffman Sr. and Mary Jones Hoffman, died in his ninetieth year at the home of his daughter Joan and son in law Sargent Major G. Vern Barrow. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Margaret Cooke Hoffman of Bayonne, New Jersey. They are the parents of eight children. Daughters Karen of New York City, Joan Barrow of East Hartford CT, Susan Hoffman of Newburyport MA, Ann Scanlon of Colchester CT. Sons, Michael of Leesburg, FL, Peter of Camp Hill, PA, Robert of Crucita Ecuador and David of West Hartford CT. Nineteen grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and a tribe of nieces and nephews. As a young man, Frank Hoffman enlisted in the US Army Air Corp and served as Gunner on the B-24 bombers assigned to the 8th Air Force 2nd Division 489 Squadron which flew out of East Anglia, United Kingdom from April of 1944 to Dec 1944 earning numerous decorations including the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. After WWII he transferred to the reserves and eventually became a police officer in Jersey City. The Air Force beckoned again and with a young family with small children he reentered active duty after graduating from Florida Southern College where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. His active duty career included service in the Republic of Viet Nam with the 35th Security Police Squadron. Additional decorations included the Bronze Star and the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal. When Colonel Hoffman retired from the Air Force he continued public service as the Chief of Police in Glastonbury Connecticut from 1970 to 1987. During his tenure as Chief the Glastonbury Police Department became the first nationally accredited department in the state of Connecticut. Frank and Marge moved to Indialantic Florida in retirement. He was a communicant at the parish of Saint Paul in Glastonbury Connecticut. The family wishes to give their heartfelt and sincere thanks to the Beacon Hospice team; especially Tommy, Butch, Angela, and Justin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Monday, May 4, at 10 a.m. in St. Paul Church, 2577 Main St., Glastonbury. Burial with Military Honors will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Calling hours will be Sunday, May 3 from 12-4 p.m. at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude's Research Children's Hospital or St. Paul Church, Glastonbury. For online condolences, please visit www.mulryanfh.com.