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UNO HOFFMANN Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for UNO HOFFMANN
20 Entries
Stephen Hsines
January 15, 2026
Uno was an inspiration. I miss him very much.
Sherri Klein
January 12, 2026
Uno,
My heart. My one true love.
We met around 2008 and became close in 2011. We would meet on my lunch breaks at Lettieri in Yorkville, where you became my confidant. You were welcomed into family dinners and fit so naturally with my parents and loved ones.
In 2013, I began to wonder whether you might want more than friendship. Then one day, you showed up at my workplace with a dozen long-stem white roses. That was the moment I knew. You swept me off my feet, showered me with love, and always insisted I was "your muse." That marked the beginning of our partnership - one that remained strong until you were taken from us in 2020.
To say that you transformed my life is an understatement.
You were there every day after work, having already walked Rex, waiting for me. We would sit for hours on the balcony, recounting our days. You told me stories about your life, the children you adored, and we shared long, philosophical, existential conversations. Your intelligence astounded me. Your worldview challenged mine and opened me to possibilities I had never imagined.
You, me, and Rex would lie together for hours while you told stories of Greek mythology - me, your Eurydice; you, my Orpheus. We spent countless days at the AGO, followed by laughter-filled visits to the gift shop, playing with the figurines. Some of my most treasured memories live there.
When I became ill, you never wavered. You showed up every single day. You would arrive at 6 a.m. to help with Rex and get me started, and each morning you´d drop to one knee and say, "On one knee..." - our ritual, our tenderness.
I truly believed you would outlive me - perhaps outlive us all. We used to joke that you were like an ox: unstoppable, enduring, invincible, even when you didn´t always make the best health choices.
You are still very much alive in me - in my heart, in my daily life. I don´t see you as often anymore in passing strangers or familiar places, but you are forever with me.
As we so often recited together, my love:
i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear)
You are in my heart forever.
Sherri
(Sherri Klein)
Sandra Tancredi
December 6, 2022
An excellent teacher and mentor at the University of Toronto. Loved his way of teaching and his sense of humor. He will be sorely missed.
Sandra Tancredi.
Salina Kwan
April 27, 2022
Oi Professor Uno,
Everytime I passed by Starbucks at King Street, I think of our talks. I really wished I can meet you professor. Really missed the old days.
How you can show support
Todd Sutherland
September 19, 2021
God Almighty. I tried a few times over the years to contact Uno. He was my boss at IH+A in the 90s, and he was amazing. I'd give an eye tooth to be able to spend an afternoon with him. It absolutely breaks my heart that I missed my chance to spend one more day with this wonderful man. Uno, why didn't you ever get back to me? You were amazing. I'll remember you all of my days. With real affection, Todd.
Salina Kwan
July 5, 2021
Oi Professor Uno, Thank you for inspiring me. You will always be my mentor. You will be missed. Sending my condolences to the family and Marcela. R.I.P professor Uno
Deryk King
May 3, 2021
Bought so much of his artwork whilst resident in Toronto. His pictures now have pride of place in my and my daughter's UK homes. RIP Uno.
David Thompson
February 16, 2021
The man, the mentor... Shocked! Not easy, but always fair. He sees something in you and will do his best to bring it out. The unforgettable converstaions we had about life and art and design. A good glass of red and a Dusty Springfield album playing in the background. He suround by books and sketches. And the best humour... very dry, yet hilarious. Paint the sky my friend!
Stephen Haines
December 4, 2020
I worked with Uno at Hoffman and associates. He was an absolutely incredible mentor. He continues to inspire me. I will miss him very much.
Stephen Haines
December 4, 2020
I worked with Uno at Hoffman and associates. He was an absolutely incredible mentor. He continues to inspire me. I will miss him very much.
Diane Erlich
November 1, 2020
I had the pleasure of teaching alongside Uno at George Brown College in Toronto and am sad to hear of his passing. He was a very talented wonderful person to work with.
Gayle Hurmuses
September 24, 2020
Uno was a former teacher and colleague. A memorable person who was the source of many stories and anecdotes about his methods, Uno was singular. There was no one quite like him, except maybe Hemmingway.
Esther Gombor
September 11, 2020
Uno was a wonderful man, a caring friend, filled with love and positivity. We often met for breakfast and discussed books, ongoing projects, art and life in general. His kindness and spiritual generosity pervaded every meeting and carried through my days ahead until our next coffees. His energy was devoted to helping others, to offering encouragement to those who needed it the most... he gave and gave and gave of himself to this world, every day. With his passing he left a sad void behind... Continue on your magical journey, Uno, bringing sparkles of joy into a new dimension now...You will be always missed.
Tamar
September 8, 2020
Künstler, Lebenkünstler, Überlebenskünstler - all these come to mind when I think of Uno - an artist, a bon vivant and a master survivor.
I got to know Uno in the late 70s when I was a student. He was a good listener and great story teller, full of (often self-depreciating) humour. I have nice memories of evenings spent with him and Isabel, at their place or having a drink in ‘three small rooms’. The drawing he gave us when we got married hung for a long time in our living room. So sorry to hear of his death, my heartfelt condolences to Isabel and to his children, Nikolai and Lara.
Thomas Tampold
September 4, 2020
After having no contact with Nikolai since he was three, my wife, Carol, and I had the opportunity to speak with him recently about his father, Uno, on his passing.
As we related stories about him, Nikolai said it best: “Uno was a magical man.” That was very true. I didn’t think it was possible for him to die, as he seemed to always find another escape hatch whenever he was in trouble.
I would meet up with him every few months, or a few years, and I was planning on getting together soon. He had just the week before commented on my daughter’s Instagram page—fellow artist, Evi Tampold. Ever since she was a little child, Uno had been an inspiration for her, having spent a good deal of time with her and her older brother, Mik, during their early school years.
He was an inspiration for me, too.
I was honoured to design an invitation to a show of his work once. I enjoyed doing kind things for him like that, even when it meant going beyond all normal boundaries. I felt he would have done the same for me if I had asked.
There is so much to talk about the man when I think of Uno that I have left the best to the last—Uno was a great artist! I once reflected to him that his work was very De Kooning’esque and he immediately shot back that he was way beyond anything De Kooning had done!
I loved him dearly even with all his foibles. Ever since we first met, we joked that we were long lost brothers. We became very close friends very quickly. Carol and I and Uno and Isabel shared wonderful evenings together early in both of our marriages.
But I also remember Uno from much longer ago—when I was at Estonian camp near Udora close to Uxbridge, Ontario, when I was seven. He remembered me too, or we both remembered each other, as part of the magic that held us together. That summer, he was the naughty boy who was always getting into trouble and couldn’t speak Estonian. He showed me his knife and we played with his knife.
Many years later I used to visit him at his apartment that I was paying for and he showed me his gun. He hadn’t changed much and neither had I.
There will be a little less magic in the world now that Uno is no longer with us. My family and I are grateful for the brilliance Uno brought to our lives.
Barbara Symmons
September 3, 2020
Uno was my neighbour- super smart, quirky, terribly gifted, as well as empathic, compassionate and so funny. I wish I had known him better.❤
James Munroe
September 2, 2020
An excellent teacher and mentor with a quirky sense of humour. He will be sorely missed.
James Munroe
September 2, 2020
An excellent teacher, mentor, and coworker. He will be sorely missed.
Collin Douma
August 31, 2020
What a character. We was a talent and an all round good guy. Collin Douma
Tammy van Eck
August 30, 2020
Uno will be remembered for his passion, drive and humour. Go well on the next leg of your journey Uno ❤. Fond memories, love David and Tammy (H+A)
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