KENNETH JOHN HOFFMAN

Kenneth "John" Hoffman, II, of Waynesboro, PA, Passed away unexpectedly on March 11, 2024.

Born in San Bernardino California on November 1, 1969, John joined an anxiously awaiting and loving arms of his parents Kenneth John and Mary Ellen "Lovejoy" Hoffman, and brother, Ronald L. Hoffman.

In 1974 the family moved to Waynesboro, PA, when his father, Ken, was assigned to serve at Fort Ritchie, Md, as the telecommunications director.

While in Waynesboro, John attended St. Andrew's Catholic school for several years until his family was transferred overseas.

They were first stationed in Mannheim, Germany, then Camp Zama, Japan, and then to Worm's, Germany.

While overseas John attended Zama High School in Japan and in Germany, Mannheim American High School, where he graduated with the "Class of 1987".

It was when they were abroad John developed his desire to travel and explore different countries and cultures.

On the weekends and holidays his family would take excursions to many places of interest in Europe.

This continued when they were in Japan and after they came back to the states. John loved to experience different cultures and especially the food of that culture.

John's father, Ken, finally retired in the spring of 1991 and they returned to their Fairview Avenue home in Waynesboro PA.

John continued his education in the United States, graduating from Clayton State College in Morrow, GA, and attending Kuntztown University of Pennsylvania.

In later years he would take various classes of interest at Hagerstown Junior College in Maryland such as Spanish, Italian, and an Italian cooking course. He also took two and a half years of Japanese at the Alexander Hamilton Library in Waynesboro.

It was after his father passed away in 1995, that John got the courage to tell his mother he was gay.

It was very difficult in those days because society was very cruel and judgmental making it something shameful, that needed to be hidden. Over the decades it has become increasingly more acceptable and open and so did John. He truly loved to attend the Gay Pride events from Pennsylvania to Virginia and anywhere in between. Proudly posting in his many pictures of his adventures on Facebook.

John has an avid collector of Matchbox and Hot Wheel cars, some of which he had since his early childhood.

He was obsessed with Sesame Street and especially Cookie Monster, his favorite character. Legos were another passion of his. He loved to attend different exhibitions to see the wonderful creations made with them, posting multiple pictures on his Facebook page to share with others.

He also collected Hallmark Seasonal Decor and was on the VIP list. He LOVED posting on Facebook the many celebrations and holidays of the world, which he had experienced growing up. When there was a special holiday or special Saints Day you always knew what the celebration was and what it meant.

Over the years John had worked in retail, customer service, and human resources, training many people how to perform their jobs efficiently. However, his life took a traumatic turn when he suffered from a brain infection, causing multiple strokes and a coma which caused him to be placed in intensive care, close to death. But "OUR MIRACLE" survived and after many months in rehabilitation he learned to talk, eat, walk, wright and LIVE again. He did have some difficulties in his later life caused by the Effects of this illness, but John kept on going. He was an inspiration to all those who knew him and knew of his struggles.

Serving others then became his focus in life, whether it be providing rides to doctor's appointments, the pharmacy, grocery store trips, picking up people to go vote, or just running to get fast food. Being a member of the Knights of Columbus also gave him opportunities to serve. He was very proud to have accomplished being a 4th degree Knight. At the KOC He helped with Wednesday night Bingo, recycling, making hoagies, purchasing supplies at BJ's and Johnnies, and attending the district meetings. He had great joy in passing out candy at the KOC, on trick or treat nights, and in costume, as the Cookie Monster, a red crayon, or a panda bear, greeting each child with a compliment. Even the small task of collecting the pull tabs from the cans he recycled, filling gallons of bags with them, and then delivering them to the Ronald McDonald House Charity in Hershey, PA, gave him a sense of accomplishment, contributing to the cause in some small way.

For many years and in all types of weather, John diligently participated in the "Laying of the Wreaths Across America", at Arlington National Cemetery. Honoring his parents and his friends parent slash parents by personally placing a wreath on their grave side and is the tradition leaving a coin on their tombstone. He acknowledged each one by taking a picture and posting it on his Facebook page for his friends to see.

After his parents passed away John created a family by choosing those friends who would become "HIS FAMILY"! He is and Will forever be greatly missed by, Becky Monn, his friend and confidant of 35 years, her children and their families, and the Rudy's, Becky's extended family in West Virginia. His "Virginia" family, the Lily's, the Ashman's, the Baisley's and children, and his Godchildren, Aiden and Charlotte Ashman, whom he adored and was very proud of. His dear friends from Zama High School and Mannheim American High School, who span from coast to coast, and across the seas. He enjoyed attending the get togethers and taking trips to visit them when possible. His special friends at Trinity House in Waynesboro, PA, and the many close friends he had made throughout the years from church, work, social activities, and friends of other friends. We will miss receiving your cards for birthdays, anniversaries and holiday's.

John was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church, Waynesboro, PA.

A Funeral Mass will be held for him on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 1:00 pm. at the church is located on the corner of Broad Street and Main Street in Waynesboro, PA. Interment to follow at St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery, then a Celebration of Life will follow at the Knights of Columbus, 42 West 2nd street, Waynesboro, PA. Light refreshments will be provided.

A love for animals was instilled in John at an early age, by his mother, Mary. Their home always had multiple pets, cats and dogs, who came from many different corners of the world. John was always willing when asked to be the caregiver for many of his friends "Fur Babies". He had a tendency to spoil them because he truly loved them and provided them with tender loving care, as if they were his own. Thank you, John, from, Meow Meow Kitty, Lucy, Chloe, Daisy, Boone, Abby, Comanche, Mina, Miley, Kiah, She-She, and Trinity, we loved you too!

In lieu of flowers, in an honor of John's love for animals, please make memorial contribution in his name to the Antietam Humane Society, 8513 Lyons Road, Waynesboro, PA, 17268.

No longer will we see your smiling face and hear your infectious laughter, until we meet again, you will be "A friend always and forever".