Obituary: James J. Hoffman, 97, of Cheshire

CHESHIRE, CT - (From Wallingford Funeral Home) James J. Hoffman, 97, of Cheshire, beloved husband of Irene R. Hoffman for 65 years, died on July 12, 2021 at his home.

Jim was born in Wallingford on June 15, 1924, son of the late Edward and Mary (McGuire) Hoffman.

During World War Two, he served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Force in the European- Africa-Middle Eastern Theatre with the 161st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in the Air Offensive in Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe.

He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon and six Bronze Service Stars, Belgian Fourragere, Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. He was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve in March 1949.

He was a graduate of Boston University, and attended U.C.L.A. for post-graduate studies where he was inducted to the Alpha-Omega Chapter of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

While in California, he played trumpet in several of the early Hollywood musicals of the late 40’s and 50’s, as well as with the Paul Weston Orchestra.

On returning to Connecticut, He was employed by the State of CT as a case worker and welfare investigator for several years before joining the CT Dept. of Corrections Parole Dept.

While there, he earned his M.S. degree in Guidance and Counseling at Southern Conn State University. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, V.F.W. and American Legion.

In April 2013, he traveled with more than 100 other CT WWII veterans to Washington, DC on the Honor Flight sponsored by the American Warrior Organization to visit various Memorials.

The family would like to especially thank Kunda Chishala for his compassionate and extraordinary care for Jim during the last seven months.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Louise Chapman, and grandsons, Andrew and Alex Beilman of Wallingford. He was predeceased by two sisters, Helen Cookley and Florence Cook, and three brothers, Edward, Francis and Thomas Hoffman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 11 am directly at St. Thomas Becket Church in Cheshire.

Interment with military honors will be in State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown.

Arrangements are under the direction of The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main Street Ext., Wallingford.