Robert Jay Hoffman

Robert Jay Hoffman

Robert Jay Hoffman, 79, of Lehighton, passed away on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, Salisbury Township, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Clare (Kresge) Hoffman for 43 years.

Born in Coaldale on Dec. 15, 1946, he was the son of the late Robert J. and Helen (Jupina) Hoffman.

He was a 1964 graduate of the last class at Coaldale High School and a 1968 graduate of East Stroudsburg State College with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education in mathematics.

Jay was a mathematics teacher for Panther Valley Middle and High schools for 34 years and was the wrestling coach for 26 years, serving as the head coach for 12 years.

He was a member of Coaldale United Methodist Church, where he served as the treasurer and held a very active leadership role in church for many years.

Jay loved Penn State athletics, especially football and wrestling, and was a Penn State football season ticket holder for 45 years. He was the original membership chairman for the Penn State Club of Carbon County; was instrumental in restarting the Carbon County Penn State Chapter after many years of inactivity; and was a recent board member.

Jay served as treasurer for the Carbon County Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees and judge of elections at Franklin Township for four years.

He was a Lionel O gauge train enthusiast, designing many layouts each one more elaborate than the last. He also enjoyed playing tennis in his younger days; was a New York Yankees fan; and, in his retirement, he and Clare loved to travel.

He is survived by his loving wife; goddaughter, Sara Webb; godsons, Grant Schaeffer and David Horvath; aunt, Josephine Jupina; several cousins; and his beloved dog Cassie.

Service: Funeral service 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, Schaeffer Funeral Home, 300 Alum St., Lehighton, with pastors Marge Kropp and Kim Leskovich officiating. Committal service will follow in the Lehighton Cemetery. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Saturday. Schaeffer Funeral Home, Lehighton, has been entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society, known as Blood Cancer United at bloodcancerunited.org or the Coaldale United Methodist Church, c/o the funeral home, 300 Alum St., Lehighton, PA 18235. Online condolences may be made at www.schaefferfunerals.com.