HOFFMAN, Adolf Hoffman

At Riverview Gardens, on Thursday June 18th, 2026 Adolf Hoffman of Chatham passed away peacefully and pain free as a life’s journey would take him, at the age of 92+ years. Cherished son of the late Christoff and Christine Hoffmann. Beloved husband of the late Barbara (nee Pollinger, 1999). Loving father of Marilyn (Paul) Coleman of Grand Bend, Rob (Cathy) Hoffman of Chatham and Tom (Lisa) Hoffman of Rondeau. Very proud grandfather of eleven grandchildren and great grandfather of eighteen. Predeceased by his eldest brother Phillip and his wife Hilde, and his younger brother Alfred, both of Windsor. Also predeceased by sisters and brother’s in-law Marty and Judi Pollinger, Eugene and Liz Whelan and Pete and Lena Uzun. Survived by his sister-in-law Louella Hoffmann (Alfred).

Adolf was born in Ruthven, Ontario in 1934 and at the age of 7 his family relocated back to Yugoslavia. Captured under the regime of the Germans, his father and brother were made to enlist in the German army. As a child, Adolf played with unspent munitions and watched air raids at 3pm every day. They rode their bikes and skied in the hills of Hertmannsweiler, in what seemed to him liked a normal life. After WWII, they returned to Ruthven in 1952 with the intention of carrying on their farming but once back, discovered it had been taken from them. As a result, Christoff pursued a new career in sheet metal which ultimately laid the groundwork for Adolf’s career and that of his sons.

Returning to southwestern Ontario, Adolf met the love of his life, Barbara and while their years were cut shorter than either of them dreamed, they adored one another in every possible way and together committed their lives and priorities to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In 1966, Adolf went into business with two partners and brought Harold’s Heating to Chatham after which Hercon Sheet Metal was formed. Throughout his life he spent countless hours drawing and designing various projects. He filled many a scrap piece of paper or a little lined book with ideas, sketches, and measurements that always turned into practical uses—speaking volumes about his creativity, ingenuity, and skill.

He and Barb and the families spent their summers at a cottage on a small island on Red Cedar Lake near Temagami. Purchased as a small parcel of Crown Land, they cleared the island by hand as a labour of love and installed wind and solar energy way before its time. He was in his happiest place there, despite the hungry black flies, and the fish that sometimes just didn’t give a nibble. Together they built decades of family tradition and memories that live on to this day.

Adolf enjoyed a good game of euchre with their friends, who were always sure to raise a foamy beer stein or a cheap glass of wine, with a hearty “Ein prosit”. Not known for drawing attention to himself, he was hard to miss on the dance floor as he and Barb mastered the polka to German music.

A man of few words, he taught us what it is to accept life, its gifts, its tragedies, and to his dying day, he demonstrated the grace it takes to live life one day at a time with positive intent.

Family and friends are invited to the Alexander & Houle Funeral Home, 425 Wellington Street West, Chatham, 519-352-2710 on Monday, June 29th, 2026, with visiting from 11am to 1pm. A memorial service will follow in the Chapel of the funeral home with Deacon Chris Masterson officiating. Cremation has taken place. Interment at Maple Leaf Cemetery to follow memorial service. Friends planning an expression of remembrance are asked to consider the charity of their choice or to the Cancer Society in loving memory of his late wife. On-line condolences may be shared at www.alexanderandhoulefuneralhome.ca