Obituary of Charles Fredrick Hoffman

Charles Fredrick Hoffman, 96, of Freehold, New Jersey, passed away November 2, 2011 at Geraldine Thompson Care Center. Charles was born March 21, 1915 in Mercer County, New Jersey to Louis F. Hoffman and Anna Hoffman. During World War II, he worked at Thermoid Rubber, and was commended by an Army general for his work. In 1947, he and wife Helene started Charles F. Hoffman Upholstery, restoring furniture for customers throughout central New Jersey. Charles enjoyed horse racing, baseball, and restoring antiques. He is probably most remembered for his extraordinary garden, which he ran like a small farm, even into his 90’s. Relatives competed for the produce. Charles’ warmth and wit made him a favorite of his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Helene Murphy Hoffman. Surviving are his three children, Peter Murphy Hoffman and his wife Helen Hoffman of Boca Raton Florida; Charles C. Hoffman and his wife Susan P. Hoffman, of Farmington Hills, Michigan; and Susan J. Cardinal and her husband Leonard J. Cardinal Sr. of Manasquan, New Jersey. Also surviving are his twelve grandchildren, Leonard J. Cardinal Jr., Christine Cardinal, Jennifer Wood, Megan Clemens, Karen Jones, Heather McCollom, Hope Lusk, Holly Weber, Charles Hoffman, Christopher Hoffman, Kathleen Hoffman, and Michael Hoffman. Charles is also survived by seventeen great-grandchildren. He will be sadly missed for his keen wit, admirable independence, and his “home grown Jersey Tomatoes”. Visitation will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to noon followed by a memorial service at noon.