Joel A. Hoff

Thank you, Mr. Hoff.
During the school year 1974-75, the young, enthusiastic, and very kind Mr. Hoff taught a wonderful high school class about French art history. Almost half a century later it remains an important part of my life, and as a parent I have passed on a lot of what we learned. This includes "La grande illusion," which became my daughter's favorite film.
Mr. Hoff introduced us to "Le voyage dans la lune," "Un chien andalou" and other French films up to the latest from Truffaut; art from David's "La mort de Socrate" and Ingres' portraits (and the importance of head size in them) to works by the 20th-century greats; and architecture from les cathédrales gothiques to Notre dame du haut.
He conducted the class in French, so we also had to learn dozens of terms including les sous-titres and le metteur en scène; le clair obscure and la perspective; les arc boutants and le béton armé.
What a privilege it was to have Mr. Hoff in our lives.

I met Joel in Toronto in 1972 when a mutual friend (my summer camp counselor and his schoolmate) heard we were both there. Although I moved back to Virginia before he left Canada, we stayed in touch, albeit sporadically, for many years. At some point we noticed that our birthdays were 10 days apart, and began a tradition of phoning one another at that time. Those calls continued for more at least 15 years. Last summer, when he didn't call on my birthday, and didn't return my call on his, I was worried, but didn't try to follow up until New Year, when I tried again. When I still didn't hear back, my husband started googling and it didn't take long to find this obit.

Others have known Joel better and enjoyed more intimate time with him, but I treasure the memory of our annual phone call. Joel's wit, wisdom, and tenderness will stay with me. How I wish I had made time to get to Boston for a proper visit instead of relying on annual phone calls.

For all of you grieving him a year after his death, know that Joel loved and treasured both his family and his friends. He would tell me of his delight with visits and other contacts with old friends, his sister, and especially his son.

Ben, if you ever doubted your father's love, let me dispel your doubt. He spoke of you and your Aunt Anne with such love. I wish I had a better memory and could quote things he said, but I can leave you with the knowledge that, as we hung up after those calls, I would be smiling, knowing that my friend held his family so close, loved them so much, and was loved in return.

Joel and I first met in Boston, in 1984, where we were both working with the Southeast Asian refugee community. In 1992 we were both working in Cambodia. We often hung out together. That relationship has lasted so long. When he moved back to Cambodia temporarily, he stayed at my house in Phnom Penh, with my mother-in-law. When I and two of my daughters visited Boston we stayed at Joel's house for a night.

He and I were true brothers of a similar calling in life. He will always be remembered.

Joel and I were friends for forty years. As such we were present for milestones in each other's lives. My sincere condolences to Ben, Anne, and Amelia

For many years, Joel was my colleague in the Liberal Arts Department of Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Although I met him as a coworker, I knew him as a friend. Both of us were teachers of literature who shared a love a great writing as well as great music, especially opera. We used to lend each other recordings of famous opera singers--recordings we returned several years later!
I treasure our conversations about French literature (his specialty) and his experiences in Asia, which he shared with our students in some of his classes.
He was a dedicated and kind teacher, a hard worker. He struggled with health issues and he worked tirelessly to support himself and his son, whom he clearly loved deeply. (I regret that I never met his son.) A good man, a difficult life, a resilient spirit. I will miss him.
Joshua Cohen

Thank you all for your kind words

I had known Joel since the mid 1990s. Found him to be a very deeply intellectual person with wide spread knowledge in various world languages, cultures and histories.

He had a acute sense of humor as well and hence I am my fellow common friends enjoyed the conversations with him whenever he visited us.

Its very unfortunate that we lost such a talented person due to Parkinson disease. Which was considered to be a curable disease.

We all miss him immensely. May his soul Rest In Peace !

With Sincere Salutations, Respect and Regards for the departed soul !

Savvy