Tom C. Hoffman

Tom C. Hoffman, 235 E. South TRL, Tiffin, Ohio, died on Sunday, March 16, 2025 and was born on May 24, 1948, in Knoxville, TN, son of George H. and Elsie (Herget) Hoffman. He spent his childhood and early adulthood in Birmingham, AL, before moving back with his parents to their hometown of Milwaukee, WI.
On March 16, 2000, he met Peter J. Holbrook, who became his longtime companion and spouse of 25 years. They married on March 16, 2016, at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 2017, he moved to Tiffin, Ohio, to support Peter's career.
Tom graduated from John Marshall High School in Milwaukee, WI, in 1966. He went on to study architecture and earned his degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1971. Hoffman worked as an architect and designer at Miller Meier Kenyon Cooper Architects in Milwaukee, WI, and at Meier and Hoffman Architects in Cedarburg, WI, before founding Tom Hoffman Design in 1999.
Though architecture was his chosen profession, real estate and interior design ignited his passion for design through the transformation and reimagining of residential and commercial spaces. As a skilled residential and commercial interior designer, Tom operated a thriving interior design business, crafting beautiful environments for clients in Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, New York, and Florida. In 2008, Milwaukee Home and Fine Living Magazine named him one of the twelve top designers in Southeastern Wisconsin. His work appeared in Milwaukee Magazine, Milwaukee Home & Fine Living, Milwaukee Home, Milwaukee Lifestyle Magazine, Milwaukee Northshore Lifestyle, and most notably, Better Homes and Gardens, Window and Wall Ideas.
Tom was an accomplished abstract artist who developed his passion for art in high school and college. He continued pursuing his interest in art during college and eventually decided to reignite his love for painting in 2010. To refine his skills, he studied under the guidance of renowned artist Terrence Coffman, where he had his first studio at The Center Avenue Studios in Jefferson, Wisconsin. In 2014, he opened his first gallery, the TC Hoffman Gallery, in Milwaukee's historic Third Ward, and later, in 2018, he inaugurated the Court Street Gallery in Tiffin, Ohio. Tom was known for creating custom art pieces for clients' homes and offices. He exhibited his artwork in galleries in Jefferson, Delafield, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Columbus, Ohio. His final collection was displayed at the Diane Kidd Gallery at Tiffin University in January 2019.
Tom is survived by his spouse, Peter J. Holbrook, Ph.D., and their cherished Westies, Oliver and Winston. He is also survived by his sister Gail (John) Kahlich, sisters-in-law Mary Ellen Kirchberg, Sarah Behr, Barbara (Katherine) Holbrook, and brother-in-law Russ (Judy) Holbrook. Many nieces and nephews in the Holbrook family remember him fondly, especially niece Kimberly (Jerry) Lafler and their children, Olivia and Brady, who have accompanied their aging uncles on their journey. He was an honorary Papi to Sara (David) Sortino and grandchildren James and Julia, Rachael (Brad) Jackson, and grandchildren Lillian, Cyril, and Lorraine. His best friends, Mike Walbert and Michael Cain, also survive him.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, paternal grandparents Harry W. and Viola (Faerber) Hoffman, maternal grandparents Julius and Rose (Raditsch) Herget, sister Susan Hoffman, father/mother-in-law John (Ethel Ubbelohde) Holbrook, and brothers-in-law William Kirchberg and Arno (Larry) Behr.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Hoffmann-Gottfried Mack Funeral Home & Crematory. A final farewell and memorial service will be held for Wisconsin family and friends at a later date at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, with committal at Immanuel Columbarium.
Memorials can be made to Tiffin University to support the Holbrook/Hoffman Scholarship Fund, Tiffin Community Kitchen/Old Trinity Episcopal Church in Tiffin, OH, and Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee, WI.
Tom and Pete would like to thank the staff at the Shawhan, and the compassionate hospice care provided by Southern Care.
Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.
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