Alvin Hoffman Obituary

Rest in peace Al. Thank you for guidance, respect, and trust. You were an great man and an incredible mentor.

May you Rest In Peace Al.
You were one of the few that I always had a great admiration for.

Still missing him after all these years. =0(

APRIL 7, 2011
AL WAS A FRIEND, MENTOR AND LOVABLE PERSON. HE WILL BE REMEMBERED. ORSON WELLS SAID THAT "A PERSON IS NOT DEAD UNTIL ALL THOSE WHO LOVED HIM DIES". NEEDLESS TO SAY AL WILL REMAIN ALIVE FOR MANY MANY YEARS.

Allan and I are so very saddened to learn of Al's passing. Everyone whose lives he touched felt his love for life and boundless joy. Thank you, Al, for the gift of your time and friendship.

Al Hoffman was a “dream” client. I was fortunate to have a few brilliant clients and to also learn from them. I learned from Al. No natter how complicated the subject, Al usually understood it. And you know Al was quick to ask for a clearer explanation if he did not, which was rare.

Because Al embraced “change” for the betterment of the business, his family happily followed in his footsteps. And his family was more important to him than anything else. He was so proud of you, Yetta, and his children.

Al liked to think outside of the box. He was an innovator and he enjoyed what he did.
He was always searching to improve what his business was doing and for new ways to make his business more efficient, to find a better, cheaper way.

Al encouraged his people and they grew with him. We all knew that his word was his bond.

My firm worked with Al to structure Al’s growing businesses. He shared with us what was happening and what had happened at the H. Hoffman Inc. business. He did more than listen to our advice: he implemented it. Sometimes we argued but the ‘best “course of action resulted and then Al would smile.

Yetta, I will never forget those smiles.

Richard Glickman

Yetta....Please accept our sincerest condolences for you and your family. Even though our friendship was not the closest, Al will always be remembered and a super nice guy.
Ethel and Buddy Schwartz, Boca Raton, Fl.

IVE BIN IN THE LOCKSMITH TRADE FOR 53 YEARS AND ITS STULL SAID TO SEE A FELLOW LOCKSMITH TO PASS GOD BLESS YOU

REST IN PEACE FELLOW LOCKSMITH

My heartfelt sympathy to the entire Hoffman family. I am sure he will be truly missed. He was a wonderful man.
Gerry O'Brien (Jules DeLuca's stepdaughter(Jerry's daughter)

Sincere condolences to the entire Hoffman family and extended family. May you all have the strength to get thru these difficult times.

Our sorrow is sent on wings of the great spirit to your families, Al. Know that we, having known you for 31 years, loved, respected, and promoted you, along with your company. Our loyalty lies deep and will not falter. Loyalty not lightly placed, nor taken for granted. Al was the only distributor who would give us credit 31 years ago. He had faith and because of his faith we also kept that faith. Sadly, we are all born with so much time. What Al did with his was above and beyond that of most of us. His creations and re-creations helped to move our industry into the 21st century. We are Branson Lock, LLC. Dennis and Jeanne Hendricks, Branson Missouri

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Al was a great person and will truly be missed.

(From Jules DeLuca's (M. Taylor, Inc.) daughter and families.)

My deepest heartfelt sympathies to Yetta, Karen, Laurie, Steve, Donna and all of the Hoffman family. I have fond memories of Al as a small child through my adulthood. He will be greatly missed by many.

Sincerely,
Marci Deran

My Condolences to the hoffman family
Al touched my life at the age of 14 he urged me to make a career in the locksmithing "BIZ" and I did and now at 49 I own my own biz Al still would call me kid I will miss Al and his stories and wisdom.
HE WILL TRULY BE MISSED

My condolences to the enire Hoffman family. Al made his first profound impression on me back in the early 80's while giving freely of his time to "give" a business management talk to members of The Greater Chicago Locksmiths' Association when he asked those in attendence for a show of hands regarding receivables. After asking who had accounts that had not been invoiced for 30, 60 and 90 days he simply smiled and said..."guys if you don't have you money in 30 days, you don't need it."

His pasing will leave a void in this industry. His smiling face and kind words wil be missed.

My condolences to the enire Hoffman family, Al was a great man who was so well respected, he was more than willing to share his time with a story or just to pass on his wisdom, he will truly be missed

My condolences to the entire Hoffman family, Al was a great man easily approachable and always willing to share his time in a story or just pass on his wisdom, he will truly be missed.

Al touched so many in his life. I believe he must have personally "camped out" or at least fished with everyone at least once. In our family I am sure we spent at least 15 vacations with all the Hoffman crew. For me personally I can thank Al for a tremendous business life as well. It was Al who urged my father while I was in 4th grade to consider a "career" in security. Kind, gentle, silent, humble and powerful personality that will always remain indelible in my life. I offer my sincerest sympathy to the loss in everyones life who had the gift to share time with him.

Al was a man of high integrity. He always played fair. He was as comfortable talking to high school age summer help as he was in talking to corporate CEOs. He just had a way of putting you at ease and making you feel that he really cared. I too consider Al a mentor in both my personal life and business career. He taught me that you earn respect from others by showing them respect, no matter their status. Needless to say, Big Al has always had my deepest respect for the way he lived and the lives he touched. Farewell to a great man.

Al was the most revered person I have ever had the pleasure to have known. A true gentleman, intuitive businessman, and a presence beyond compare. Mother Nature would not allow the trip to pay my respects, but the respect for him will shine for many years to come. My deepest condolences to Yetta, Karen, and the entire Hoffman and extended IDN family.

To the Hoffman familY: Al was truly a great man and I have wonderful memories of my time working for him. I will keep all of you in my evening prayers.

To Yetta, Laurie, Karen, Steve & Donna Jo. We wish to offer our deepest sympathy in the loss of a great man.

To know Al, was not to just know the head of a company. To know Al was to know a man to whom you could always talk to as a friend and someone down to earth in his knowledge and wisdom.
Al had a vision of treating people with honor and respect and having genuine concern for them and their business. His vision & legacy has withstood the test of time and will continue into a future that he could be proud of.

To those family members he is leaving behind, we offer this simple thought.
Al forges ahead a path we will all follow in and in the end, he will be there to greet us with that warm smile, twinkle in his eyes and open arms.

Oestreich Locksmiths

To the Hoffman family: I was saddened to hear of Al's passing. What an honor it was to have known him and worked not just for him but beside him. How many great memories I have and will forever remember a wonderful man. God bless.

My thoughts prayers & love go out to the Hoffman family. Al was an amazing man that brings smiles to my face when I think of him. So very blessed to have known him. He will be missed very much by so many, however the wonderful memories we will hold dear in our hearts! Thank you Al for touching so many lives with your loving warmth.

To Yetta, Laurie, Steve, Karen, Donna, and your extended families,

I know this is a very hard time for all of you ... but you should be so very proud of Al. He has a great legacy ... a tremendous family, loving friends, respectful colleagues, devoted employees, ... and everyone has fond memories of him. He was an inspiration to me and many many many others.

My heart is with you during these difficult days.

With Love, Gary

HI,
I want to offer my deepest condolances to the Hoffman Family. I loved to talk to Al and Yetta or his daughter when he would coem up for the Trade Shows up in Milwaukee. He was always interested in how your business was doing and how you got started as a Locksmith. He will be truely missed.

Clem Gottsacker
Clem's Locksmith SVC
Belgium, WI

Big All was a jolly good fellow whom everybody will miss. You have more than our sympathy and sorrow. Every one who knew Big All will mis him .
He was a delight and he is gone.

FRancine and Gustav

To Yetta, Laurie, Steven, Karen & Donna Jo; our heartfelt prayers to all for comfort and encouragement. Al was a wonderfully generous and gentle man. I was proud to have known him. He was more than just a mentor, I trusted him as a friend and for business counsel.
I remember him coming to my shop to talk with me when my father passed on and I was thrust into being the owner of a locksmith business. I will never forget his help that night.
To the Hoffman family: God Loves you with an Everlasting Love and underneath are His Everlasting Arms.
May He grant you a double portion of His comfort, Love and Grace.
Carl & Kathy Norlin & all the staff at MGN Lock & Key.

I am deeply saddened today to hear of the passing a dear man, mentor and friend. I had the honor working with Al at H.Hoffman for 7 great years. He was never too busy to stop and ask how you were doing or to sit in the break room with us to chat about life and his vast experiences. Al always made you feel like you were a part of his family. To Yetta, Laurie, Karen, Steve, Donna and the rest of the Hoffman Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you, may you find comfort in your memories and love for this wonderful man.

Our heart felt condolences to a neighbor for 20 years.
The Pomerance Family- Gil & Marlene
911 leamington ave, Glenview

Dear Yetta,Laurie, Steve, Karen and Donna...my deepest sympathies...I loved Al and his jovial manner. I fondly remember when he coerced me to eat raw octopus one day when I was eating my old ham sandwich. I watched in awe when he ate a huge Spanish onion like an apple! I enjoyed working for\with him - he opened doors for me which I will always appreciate.

To the Hoffman family;
I was deeply saddened to hear of Al's passing. He was a sweet man who had a great love for his family and life. He will be missed, but always remembered fondly.

To Yetta, Laurie, Karen, Steve and Donna. I will miss AL. He had a kind and gentle spirit and I will always remember him in my heart.

Our sympathy to all of Al's family and extended family to which I'm sure is very large. Again our sincerest condolences.

Al was one of those wonderful people who lived his life reflecting noble values every day. At work, at home, and in the community, he stood for all the right things. He led our industry on a national level with competence, wit, and charm, and with a word of encouragement never far away. We will miss him greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hoffman family.

Al is one of the special people you meet going through life. I considered him a mentor and that my life has been bettered by having known him. My condolences to Yetta, Karen and the rest of the Hoffman family. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten.

To the entire Hoffman family, please accept my deepest and sincerest sympathy. It is extremely hard to communicate through words the affect Al had on me.

We met when I was a teenager and since then he always treated me like a peer, although I never thought of him that way. At first I admired him as a businessman, thirty four years later I admire him as a human being. It was not his accomplishments that made Al special it was how he did it.

Al helped others become better by raising their confidence and expectations. He was a teacher and mentor to me and I will always be grateful that he was part of my life. Goodbye friend.

As a friend and business partner with Al for over 30 years, he was
an inspiration to me personally and will be greatly missed. Bob Begin

Dear Yetta. Laurie,Karen, Steven & Donna
Barbara and I want to express our very sincere condolances at the recent demise of your husband and father.
My relatioionship with your dad came mostly from my passion which I developed for the sport of "Volleyball".
Al Hoffman was a born teacher and had a knack of expressing himself by getting directly to the point, but never in a manner which was demeaning or argumentative. We always worked well together as team mates and never uttered a harsh word between us.He is a person that I will long remember.

I will always remember the many fond memories of Al through his business and SHDA. He was a wonderful man and I will miss him greatly.

Some people come into our lives and quietly go. Others stay awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.

Al was one of my favorite people on this earth. Though we haven't seen each other for a few years, I see him clearly with his big, happy smile in my mind's eye. My memory of Al is a life long gift I cherish. Aila Erman (formerly Cutson)

Hoffman Family,

Al will be missed dearly. Please accept our deepest sympathies. If there is anything you need PLEASE call on us.

Jenny, Jordan, Eric Bernstein

Thoughts and prayers to the Hoffman family. Al always made you feel welcome and will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
The Ringelstein Family

I want to send the Hoffman family my heartfelt condolences. I worked for Al for almost 23 years and he was always very kind to me. We shared some great laughs together. He always made it a point to stop by my desk and we would joke around. I will treasure my memories of Al.
~ Karen (Spain) & David Jeschke

AL WAS A GOOD MAN AND FRIEND. HE WILL BE REMEMBERED WITH GREAT AFFECTION. TOM NAZZIOLA

Deepest sympathies to the Hoffman family.

My heart and prayers go out to Yetta and the entire Hoffman family. Al was so easy to talk to and treated everyone like they were a member of the family.I thank him for his stories,inspiration and knowledge he passed on to myself and many others in our industry. He will be greatly missed but always remembered.

Over my long life I have been blessed by mentors that made me better (much better) at what I do. Al was the best of those people that influenced my professional life and skills. I was so fortunate to be his assoiate for several years.
--Ron Stephenson--

To the entire Hoffman family, Please accept my sincere sympathies. Al Hoffman was a visionary and brilliant businessman as well as a gracious gentleman. He will always be a revered Icon, having touched many generations in the Locksmith Industry. We are all better to have known him and I'm personally grateful for his interest, insights, kindness and understanding. With heartfelt sincerity, Joey Dalessio

Thank you Al for being a part of my life for the past 17 years. You truly inspired me and I will miss you.

Our sincere sympathies go out to the entire Hoffman family. You shared a wonderful man with all of us.

Michelle and Paul Anderson

The memory I have is of AL sitting in the stands watching the Brew Ha's playing softball and the smile and pride he had watching Steve play for many years. Weather is was talking Volleyball or just relaxing with him at the farm. Al may have helped many people lock people out of their houses but he will be forever locked in our hearts and minds.

Uncle Al always made me feel important. Notwithstanding his many accomplishments, he was always approachable. He was invariably warm, open, direct, generous and devoted to family, farm, travel and business (seemingly, in that order). He lived an extraordinary life; and, set the finest example for us all to follow.

You have my sincerest condolences in the loss of a truly fine man. I met Al in 1979 and he always treated me right. He and Yetta did a great job in raising a fine family. My heart goes out to all of you. We've lost a good and decent man. Sincerely, Bruce G. Melin

Al was always there with a smile and kind, helpful words. My family would not be where we are in the locksmithing world without him. Thanks for the memories. You will be missed greatly. My condolences to the whole family.

Al was quite a guy. He was generous and helpful in starting over after a divorce. His guidance and support were so very meaningful to me and my family. The Locksmith business was a better place because of his efforts and support. May he rest with God.

Our love goes out to you Yetta, and your whole family. Al and all of you will always have a special place in Cheryl and my hearts.
Al has done so much for us that has made us love, respect and admire him. From before he set up and cosigned the loan we needed to buy equipment when we started out, taking care of Ken Grob and letting him work from home, the constant push to keep us updated, the greeting "Are you computerized yet?" and the many life changing conversations like we just had at the Ranch. So many other wonderful memories.
We will greatly miss him.

Al was a good friend and mentor. Whenever I saw him he always took time to visit and counsel. An irreplaceable gentleman and industry icon. He will always be remembered. Gale and Muriel Johnson

Al was quite a guy and I have so many fond memories of him as I was in the business in South Bend. His generous and many kindnesses were so important after a struggle to begin again in the locksmith business. My heart goes out to the family and my hope is that he rests with God. Sarah K. (Seifer) Grise, Michiana Lock & Key, South Bend, Indiana.

May the memories of Al and those special times you shared together be of comfort to you and your family now and in the days ahead.

Jon & Myrna Mondry

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time of loss.
Kristin & Ted Brickler, SecureTech (Mason, Ohio).

To the family of Al Hoffman:
Please accept my sincerest condolences.

My heart goes out to the whole Hoffman family. He was a great man and will be missed by many.

We remember the guidance Al gave to us in running our locksmith business and appreciate his friendship and of his extended family. Memories are the legacy of love. May you all feel peace and comfort.

I learned most of what I knew in business from my father, Milt, and Al Hoffman. I was very fortunate that I came into the lock and security distribution business through these extraordinary men. Al was warm, witty, friendly, wise, and a pleasure to talk to and listen to. I will never forget his talks, his stories, and his inspiration.
To the Hoffman family,
may your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Our heart felt sympathy for his loss

As the candle burns so does the spirit of Al, always with a smile and a story and love. I will miss his presence larger than life, knowing his energy will be forever present in our lives.