William Hoffman

HOFFMAN - William Kenneth (Bill)

Unexpectedly, but peacefully with family by his side on January 6, 2014 in Ottawa, in his 90th year. Bill was born July 15, 1923 in Elk Lake, ON. He got his start working in the mining country of Northern Ontario and Quebec, before heading off to World War II at the age of 18. He completed a tour of duty as an Air Gunner in RCAF Squadron 432. Following the war he became an electrician, working in virtually every part of the country he loved - from Newfoundland to the Yukon. He finished his career as Electrical Supervisor at the National Defence Medical Centre. He met Marion Donovan, a teacher, in Noranda after the war. They lost touch but then, as fate would have it, reconnected in Ottawa several years later. They were married for close to 40 years until her death in 1994, and she was his cherished partner. Bill was a proud veteran and a member of 480 (Westboro) Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. He enjoyed a beer and a good joke and loved to invent things. He could fix anything with a coat hanger. Although he was a very private person, he had a huge heart and cared deeply for other people. He was a much loved father of Ken (Jane MacDonald), and very proud grandfather of Christina and Patrick Hoffman. He was predeceased by sisters Dot, Isabelle, Allie and Irene, as well as his brother Fred. Thanks to Manon Harvey at the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre for her kind and conscientious attention to Bill's needs, and to the staff at the Ottawa Hospital (General Campus) for their wonderful care. Thanks as well to the staff at Kelsey's (Elmvale Acres) for brightening his days. Friends may visit at the Westboro Chapel of Tubman Funeral Home, 403 Richmond Road (at Roosevelt) on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held in the chapel on Thursday, January 9th at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.