- Date Of Birth: July 6, 1948
- Date Of Death: November 4, 2020
- State: Connecticut
Gregory Loren Hoffman, 72, passed away at his home in Riverton, CT, on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 after a more than ten-year battle with advanced prostate of the late Doris May Radcliffe and the late Francis Herman Hoffman, Greg was born on July 6, 1948, in South Kingston, RI. He graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1966, and enlisted in the Air Force, where he served from 1967 to 1975 as a member of Joint Base Operations for NATO. After leaving the military, he held various jobs, one of his favorites being a stint at WINE as an on-air radio personality. While raising his family, he worked for Aetna in telecommunications, and after a midlife career change, he graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in London, where he mastered the culinary arts. He returned stateside and founded Patisserie Valerie, a pastry and catering business. Greg worked in several restaurants, including the 1820 House in Simsbury and served as Executive Pastry Chef at the White Hart Inn in Salisbury. He matriculated at UConn, where he graduated with his BA in general studies. Greg went on to develop the Culinary Arts Program at Northwestern Regional School #7, where he was beloved by staff and students. In his retirement, Greg had more time to focus on his love of music, and founded the Irish band O’Keefe, named after his late grandmother. O’Keefe played at many local establishments over the years and developed a strong, loyal following. While he focused on traditional Celtic tunes, many of the songs they played were Greg’s own compositions, written in the Celtic style. His friendship with his bandmates led to a hobby brewing club, which became the Little Red Barn Brewers. Greg was so proud to see the brewers’ dreams become reality, and earned the unofficial title of Brewer Emeritus. The boys at the barn recently brewed O’Keefe Imperial Stout, named in honor of Greg, described as “bold, sweet, and boozy, just like O’Keefe himself.” One of Greg’s greatest roles was grandfather–he was affectionately known as “Grampie” to his grandchildren Robby and Katie. He had a special connection with them, and taught them culinary skills; played music and sang with them; and shared time building Lego sets, playing Monopoly, and creating art. He also helped build an outdoor playhouse for them in their Tucson backyard. Greg was known to share a story, a poem, or a song with strangers and friends. He inspired people to follow their dreams, share their art, and tell their stories. Whether chatting at the post office, on his front porch, in a restaurant in Italy, or a pub in Ireland, Greg would befriend everyone and leave people with the feeling they had made a friend for life. Greg fought his battle with cancer valiantly and maintained a positive attitude that was an inspiration to others. In 2012 he was invited to the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s Celebration of Science in Washington, D.C., as one of twelve men representing the face of prostate cancer and to participate in a documentary in which the men discussed their experiences of living with prostate cancer. At the Hartford Healthcare Cancer Institute in Avon, he was affectionately known as “the legend.” Greg’s family would like to thank Dr. W. Jeffrey Baker and Dr. Jeffrey Kamradt, as well as the nurses and staff, for their years of compassionate care. In addition, they would also like to thank Foothills Visiting Nurse and Home Care for their hospice care, especially his nurse Anne Quinlan and Home Health Aide Leslie is survived by his wife of 26 years, Valerie Ransom Hoffman; his children Karl G. Hoffman (Penny), Kristen H. Pawloski (Robert), Katherine A. Walker (Andrew); his grandchildren Katherine and Robert; his eight siblings: Dennis Hoffman (Theresa), Brian Hoffman (Peg), Andrew Hoffman (MaryLou), Timothy Hoffman (Joyce), Christopher Hoffman, Mark Hoffman (Jane), Marybeth Neblett (John), and Jeffrey Hoffman (Cindy); his parents-in-law June and D. Richard Ransom; his sister-in-law Terri Sherwood (Douglas) and his brother-in-law Richard Ransom. He is also survived by his aunt Dorothy Gondola (Joseph) and many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and
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