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It is with great sadness that we report that Simsbury's Stephen Carl Hoffsis died unexpectedly on December 13, 2017 in Simsbury, CT. Steve was born on March 20, 1984 in West Chester, PA, the beloved son of David and Patricia (Alcott) Hoffsis, formerly of East Greenbush/Valatie NY. He had moved to Simsbury in 1986 where he lived the remainder of his life. Steve was a 2002 graduate of Simsbury High School and while at Simsbury HS, he excelled in football and wrestling garnering All State Recognition in both sports. Additionally, while wrestling he successfully placed in the CT State Open 4 times with runner up honor's his senior year at the State Open. Steve also wrestled in the New England and US National Championships his Senior year. After high school, Steve attended Plymouth State University majoring in Outdoor Recreation Management and played Varsity Football his Freshman year. When Steve was 10, his sister Jennifer passed away in a tragic car accident and in many ways that shaped who he was to become. That loss created the tight knit family bond which was the core thread in his DNA as exhibited by his love to do the following always as a family; yearly vacations to Deer Isle, ME, many wonderful trips to Arizona and the southwest, Alaska, Hawaii to name a few family adventures. Mealtime was always a family affair and Steve honed his culinary skills into being a highly accomplished cook who had a commanding presence in the kitchen, quickly whipping up meals that were nothing short of fantastic. He truly understood the chemistry of how all ingredients meshed together and practiced that art daily. He loved a spirited game of scrabble with family and friends and you knew you were in for a battle when playing with Steve. He loved golf and would frequently play with brother Erik and Dad and although he didn't take the game too seriously and could be a wee bit wild with his shots at times, he was very well known for launching prodigious tee shots that were nothing short of amazing to all in the foursome or nearby. Steve was extremely engaging, charming, outwardly confident and energetically fun with all people he met and his outgoing personality clearly enabled him to be the excellent communicator that he was in all sorts of social settings. He also was truly compassionate for the underdog and misfortunate and on more than one occasion stood up for those who may have been bullied. Having that fearless attitude was a large part of his makeup and his true passion was the lure of the freedom and adventure found in the great outdoors and once again he demonstrated that by his backpacking the Appalachian Trail (2,200 miles) end to end over a 4 month period and remarkably the day after he finished the "Trail", he recorded a "hole in one" as his family watched in total amazement. That was Steve. You never knew quite what surprises he had in store for you! As recent as this September, he had just finished backpacking a several hundred mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail in California. His passion and curiosity for experiencing adventure, the seeking of all types of knowledge and the scientific understanding of how nature and the metaphysical all comes together was of great interest to Steve and knew no bounds. An outgrowth of his love of nature could also be found in the literally thousands of truly beautiful and artistic photographs he took wherever his travels took him. He absolutely loved the emotional/physical experience that adventure and nature presented to him. Steve was a bit of a free spirit who traveled on his own path, but always was a lover of life, what it offered and was a strong believer in family. Our hearts are truly broken to have lost you in the very prime of your life. You were such an honest, open man, a son who made your parents very proud, a loving brother to Erik Hoffsis of Simsbury, CT and Michelle Gardy and her husband Ed of East Greenbush, NY, a tender and giving friend/lover to girlfriend Lauren Walker of Plainville, CT, a wonderful uncle to Jen and Tricia Gardy of East Greenbush, NY; beloved grandson to Mary Alcott of East Greenbush, NY and a good, caring soul to so many. God bless you Steve for allowing us to come into your life and to know you as we have. You will forever and always be in our hearts and minds. The Hoffsis family will be hosting a celebration of Steve's life in Simsbury, CT at the end of March 2018 with details to be announced. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at www.appalachiantrail.org/home/ways-to-give in memory of Steve Hoffsis/trail name "Hyde". The Vincent Funeral Home of Simsbury is caring for the arrangements. Please visit Steve's "Book of Memories" at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences and updated service information.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by the family.
Dave, Pat, Erik, and Michelle - our hearts are heavy and you are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through the loss of your beautiful son, Stephen.
Brian and Jean McGrath
December 21, 2017
Michelle and Family, I don't know if I've ever read a more loving, powerful memorial than Steve's obituary. Clearly he was a very special soul who meant the world to all of you. I'm terribly sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Vickey Abate
December 20, 2017
Dear Patricia and David, there are few words at a time when tragedy enters our lives that will ease the pain, but we hope our thoughts and prayers for you will help.
Ben Nelson
December 20, 2017
To the Hoffsis family,
We loved Stevie. He was a great wrestler and a wonderful member of the Trojan wrestling team. Regardless of the score, we always felt confident when Frank Chaves' Hoffsis, Everett, Cook, Zacchera foursome lined up against the opposition, we knew the Trojans would pull it out and win. What a great young man and what a loss for us all.
Our thoughts are with you in sorrow.
Chris, Andy, Mac, Kate and Betsy Cook
Andy Cook
December 20, 2017
Dave, Pat, Erik and Michelle, my heart is breaking for you and all who loved Steve. I will always remember his beautiful smile and hearing him share stories of his Appalachian Trail hike. His joyful approach to life and his laugh were a gift to all of us lucky enough to know him. He truly lived life to the fullest and inspired everyone around him to do the same. He will be missed always. Rest in peace Stephen.
Jean McLaughlin
December 20, 2017
Dave, Pat, Erik and Michelle, my heart is breaking for you and all who loved Steve. I will always remember his beautiful smile and hearing him share stories of his Appalachian Trail hike. His joyful approach to life and his laugh were a gift to all of us lucky enough to be a part of his life. He truly lived life to the fullest and inspired everyone around him to do the same. He will be missed always. Rest in peace Stephen.
Jean McLaughlin
December 20, 2017
The mention of Steve's tee shots made me laugh - exactly what I thought of based on the few times he joined Erik & myself both in Simsbury & Phoenix. Great guy.
Andrew Colbert
December 19, 2017
My heart breaks to hear of this. Although time and distance has separated us, Steven and the entire Hoffsis family has always been in my prayers and heart.
Rick Collins
December 19, 2017
Dave, Patricia, Michelle and family.
I'm sorry for your loss. May Stephen rest in peace.
Stephen Slagen
December 19, 2017
Erik - I'm so sorry man. Words can't say enough. My thoughts are with you man. I'm around if you ever need to talk.
Joshua Maurer
December 19, 2017
To the Hoffsis Family - on behalf of the Simsbury Farms Men's Club I send my sincere condolences on Steve's passing. Steve was a terrific SFMC member and a joy to golf with. I personally witnessed one of his legendary 300+ yard drives during a SFMC event. Steve will be truly missed.
Andy Waggoner SFMC President
December 18, 2017
Andy Waggoner
December 18, 2017
To the Hoffsis' family. I'm very sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort be with you at this time of grief, and be comfort and strengthen by God'sWord in John 6:40
CW
December 17, 2017
Steve was a true Earth angel and everything written so beautifully above is all true about who he was. I just saw Steve recently and had a great talk with him about the adventures he was taking and about life in general. What will always stand out to me about him the most was his smile. One of the few people I can honestly say who I could just tell whose soul was purely good. He saw the world in a beautiful light and we all owe it to him to try and see it the same in his honor! May you rest in peace angel and my sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time.
-E. M.
E M
December 17, 2017
Donna Guerrette
December 17, 2017
Erik and Family,
We are so deeply sorry for your loss. May God bless you and give you strength during this most difficult time.
The Guerrette Family
December 17, 2017
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Funeral services provided by:
Vincent Funeral Home - Simsbury880 Hopmeadow Street PO Box 335, Simsbury, CT 06070
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