Anthony John Hoffman
March 04, 1956 - July 11, 2004
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Anthony John Hoffman
March 04, 1956 - July 11, 2004
Obituary
Anthony J. Hoffman, III passed away suddenly due to heart failure on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at a favorite beach near his home in Mission Viejo, California. AJ was a world renowned expert on antique locks and the history of interchangeable core cylinders and key systems. Fluent in six languages, AJ was also an accomplished linguist and musician, singing tenor and providing pronunciation guidance for Pacific Chorale, one of America’s most respected and accomplished professional choruses. He is survived by his wife Vivian.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Sunday, July 18th, 2004 at:
O?Connor Mortuary
25301 Alicia Pkwy
Laguna Hills, CA
Tel: 949-581-4300
A reception will follow.
There will also be a memorial service at the Associated Locksmiths of America ALOA Convention the following week.
The funeral and memorial will be a causal gathering to create a mosaic of memories of AJ’s life. If you have a memory that you would like to be part of the ceremony and cannot attend, feel free to send it via email to vivhoffman@aol.com or use the guest register at www.XAA1.com
In lieu of flowers, Vivian would like to establish a scholarship fund to pass on AJ’s passion for locks and his love of learning to the next generation. Donations can be sent to
ALOA Scholarship Foundation
AJ Hoffman Memorial Education Fund
3003 Live Oak Street
Dallas, TX 75204
If you are using a check, please make it payable to the ALOA Scholarship Fund and add a memo on the check indicating that it is for the AJ Hoffman CML Memorial Education Fund. Information about the fund will be available in ALOA’s keynotes magazine.
38 responses to Anthony John Hoffman
Tony Ramunno, CML CPS says:
July 14, 2004
AJ was a giant in our industryno pun intended. I first met him about 30 years ago. Even then you knew he was something special. He will be missed.
William B. Tway says:
July 14, 2004
AJ is collecting padlocks in a far better place now. He will be deeply missed. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.
Bill Gordon says:
July 15, 2004
You can never forget his ear to ear simile and blush. A generous contributor to his industry, good friend and human being. I will miss him dearly.
Bill Nehrenz Cuyahoga Safe & Lock Co. says:
July 15, 2004
The first time I met A.J. he was opening Master combination plad locks in my shop. Opening these locks in itself is not a big deal, however A.J, was opening them up behind his back, with no knowlege of the combination. He was a great man and will be dearly missed. What he has done for our industry will probably never be duplicated.
Glenn Younger says:
July 15, 2004
When someone rises to the highest levels in any endeavor, they move into the realm of art. AJ was an artist in the security hardware field.
I first met AJ in 1980 when he was giving a class in San Jose, California. Although he was slow to warm up to extroverts, he was always listening. We spoke of the theoretical and realistic size of Medeco MK systems. Since I had never worked for a factory, I assumed he would be skeptical. But the exact opposite was the case. He listened intently, and a couple of months later called with a clarifying question. He NEEDED to know, He was always searching for the truth.
He had respect for those who worked with their hands and their minds. He could be fully alive in the present because he so well understood the past.
Devoted to duty, attuned to detail, historian, artist, gentleman and a gentle man, AJ was all of that, and we are all greater for knowing him.