Remembering Tom Hoffman

We lost our one-of-a-kind favorite, Charles Thomas "Tom" Hoffman, on September 19, 2025. He died unexpectedly at home in Niles after 86 action-packed years. Anyone who knew Tom knew there was never a dull moment.

For 53 years, he was the most loving husband of Nancy. He was the loving father of Glenn (Maureen) and Erick and the very proud grandfather of Rory, Maeve, Kathleen and Kaelum. He was also an unforgettable friend and neighbor.

Tom was born April 2, 1939 in Wheeling, West-by-God Virginia, at the end of the Great Depression to Francis and Frances (Zonkoski) Hoffman. He had three sisters – Mary, who passed away before he was born, Theresa and Patti, and two brothers, James and John.

The family lived in Martin's Ferry, OH. His fascination with American history started early in life as he grew up learning about the Ohio River Valley's Native American roots and came to appreciate the area's important links to the American Revolution and frontier. He also discovered trains here – another lifelong passion he shared with his sons and grandsons.

After Tom graduated from Bellaire St John's High School in 1957, he proudly served his country in the United States Army, Light Weapons Infantry Division. Private Hoffman went through basic training at Fort Dix, NJ and was later stationed in Bamberg, Germany for two years – a time of life he always recalled with a smile. He was called back up during the Cuban Missile Crisis to serve on Active Reserves.

Tom was a born salesman whose career began by selling advertising space for The Times Leader of Martins Ferry, Ohio newspaper. He moved to Chicago in 1968, in search of bigger sales opportunities. A wildly successful career in industrial plastic sales ensued. He helped to found Plastican, a plastic container company for which he designed the logo and served for decades as an independent manufacturing representative.

His life took its best turn when he sat down next to Nancy at Butch McGuire's on Palm Sunday, 1969. They married and lived first in the Gold Coast, later setting down roots in Niles and then Glenview. The couple globetrotted for several years until Glenn and Erick were born. Parenting was truly one of Tom's shining moments as he supported his sons in every endeavor and admired their talents.

If life has defining moments, Tom's came when he saved a 12-year-old girl from drowning in a hotel swimming pool while vacationing in Las Vegas in the summer of 1965. Over the years, he saved several other strangers from fatal choking accidents in restaurants.

His favorite people called him Pap Pap. Tom's beloved grandchildren were the pride of his life. He loved playing with them, spending time with them and taking them on outings to their favorite places when he and Nancy cared for them, particularly at their cabin in Lake Geneva. Those were some of their best years with their favorite people. Tom quickly became a neighborhood favorite. Scores of memories were made in this little corner of Heaven, teaching the grandchildren to build fires, watching them swim in the lake and go on local outings with them.

This area also offered many opportunities for golf, Tom's other great love. He learned the game later in life at age 40. He never grew tired of the addictive pursuit – even after four decades and was very proud of the hole-in-one he got at Geneva National a few years ago.

Christmas was his time of year. A connoisseur of trees, he was the only person many of us knew who exchanged his Christmas tree several days after purchased in his quest for the perfect one! Tom and Nancy took great pride in their holiday displays. Year after year, it looked like a Norman Rockwell Christmas scene.

Tom was funny, honest, encouraging and extraordinarily kind. He was a living example for his children and grandchildren of how to love and accept people. He is a presence that will be missed immensely, and his spirit will be carried by all who knew him.

Visitation Sunday 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. at the Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, 7812 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, Il. Funeral Services Monday 9:00 am to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Glenview for a Mass at 10:00 am. Interment at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Seville Ohio, dates TBD. For further information, (847) 966-7302 or https://www.skajafuneralhomes.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians.

If you wish to view the Funeral Mass for Tom please click on this link at 10:00 am Monday September 29, 2025

https://vimeo.com/event/5404044/21bd9c138b