Clarence August Hoffmann Jr.

Clarence August Hoffmann, Jr. of Plum, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025, two days after his 83rd birthday. Clarence was born in Pittsburgh, PA on October 25, 1942, and was the son of the late E. Gale Hoffmann (McKenna) and Clarence August Hoffmann, Sr. Clarence grew up in Glenshaw, PA and graduated from Shaler High School in 1960. He went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from Muskingum (College) University where he majored in physics and mathematics. He also took engineering courses over the summers at Carnegie Mellon University. Clarence met his wife, the late Janice Lee Neill, on a blind date at Muskingum in 1960. He was a year younger than her and had to ask an upper classman to a school dance. They were married on June 13, 1964, a marriage that continued for 58 years until Jan passed away in September of 2022. Clarence missed her dearly and called her his "little buddy." Soon after they moved to Wheeling, WV where Clarence worked as an engineer. In Wheeling they celebrated the birth of their first child, Stacy. The family eventually settled in Plum where son Tod and daughter Shea were born. While living in Plum Clarence worked for Mobay Chemical Corporation and Elliott Company. Soon after he decided to start his own business, Hoffmann Auto Service. He spent many years servicing vehicles including those for Ruby's Cleaners, a large laundry service. Clarence loved cars and purchased a 1934 Packard, restoring the car and joining the Classic Car Club of America to showcase the vehicle. He worked on, restored and owned numerous cars over the years including GTOs, Studebakers and other classic cars. He passed on his love of cars to the entire family but mainly to his son Tod, who now has his 1966 GTO, which will stay in the family. Clarence was an animal lover – specifically of dachshunds. He'd take his dogs everywhere including the bank where tellers would give them treats. Liesel, Lucy, Lola and several others, those dogs loved him as much as he loved them. He also loved Lionel trains and had accumulated a sizeable collection even after losing most of them in a home fire. He knew how to get everywhere in Pittsburgh from riding his bike as a kid and driving Jan around on trips – something they enjoyed in their later years. When working at a rental car business they called him "Mr. Google." He was proud of his children, teaching Tod all about fixing cars and taking him to car shows. He went to all of Stacy and Shea's dance performances with recording equipment in tow. He was proud of his grandsons, Garrett and Tyler, who will miss their grandfather. Clarence had many, many friends. He struck up conversations with pretty much anyone. When friends or family would say "it's good to see you Clarence" he'd say, "it's good to be seen." Clarence was preceded in death by his wife Jan and his parents, along with his late sister and brother-in-law Lynn and Bruce Heckel. He is survived by his three children, Stacy (Peter) Sylvester, Tod (Kara) Hoffmann and Shea (Jim) Murtaugh, and his two grandsons, Garrett Sylvester and Tyler Hoffmann. He is also survived by his sister Marcia and brother- in-law Bob Chocinsky, along with nieces and nephews and their families. Affectionately known as "Clancy" by friends and Jan's cousins, he is further survived by numerous family and friends. A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 1PM - 4PM in the John M. Dobrinick Funeral Home, Inc., 702 7th Street Trafford, PA with a celebration of life service starting at 4PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Clarence's name to Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh, https://humaneanimalrescue.org. www.DobrinickFhInc.com
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