Obituary of Larry A. Hoffman

Hoffman, Larry, Ret. Col., US Army 61, of Treasure Island, died Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at Palms of Pasadena Hospital. Born in Saginaw, MI, he came here to the Bay Area in 1990. Larry served for 26 years in the US Army. He was a Green Beret, who served two tours of duty in Vietnam and served under General Schwarzkopf during Operation Desert Storm. Larry graduated from Command & General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS. During his time of service, he received: 2 Legion of Merit Medals, 3 Army Commendation Medals, 2 Bronze Stars, 1 Bronze Star with Valor, 4 Army Achievement/Meritorious Service Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, 2 National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, 2 Overseas Service Bars, Air Medal, 3 Vietnam Service Medals with Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with "60" device, Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Medal 1st CL, Civil Actions Honor Medal 1st CL. He was inducted in to the US Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, GA. After retiring from the military, he started Treasure Island Charities, which raised over a million dollars towards our nation's youth and environment conservation. He was greatly instrumental in reviving the current Treasure Island Chamber of Commerce. Larry was an avid sportsman and fisherman. Through his corporation, Treasure Island Charters, he ran fishing charters out of John's Pass. He was a regular sports correspondent for the St. Petersburg Times. He was of the Episcopalian faith. He was preceded in death by parents: Arthur and Marjorie Hoffman and brother: David Hoffman. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years: Cathy Hoffman, Treasure Island, FL; daughter and son-in-law: Michele and David Weissman, Bradenton, FL; daughter and son-in-law: Margot and Aayan Das, Treasure Island, FL; granddaughter: Emma Rose Das, Treasure Island, FL; sister: Susan Campbell, Cincinnati , OH; sister-in-law: Gloria Halifax, Sun City Center, FL; aunt and uncle: Beth and Jim Stricker, Dunedin, FL; aunt Sandy Stierheim, Saginaw, MI and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside service will be held at 1:15 PM on Friday March 13, 2009 at Bay Pines National Cemetery. Following that service, there will be a Celebration of Life service at Gators on the Pass in Treasure Island where you will be encouraged to share your memories. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his granddaughter's college education trust fund-please contact funeral home for instructions.