Obituary of Donald Arthur Hoffman

January 27, 1952 – Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan

October 13, 2024 – Strathmore, Alberta

Don Hoffman of Strathmore, AB, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at the age of 72 years.

Don was born in Hudson Bay, SK, on January 27, 1952. He moved to Vancouver and then Toronto, before making Calgary his home in 1987. Here, he met the love of his life, Nancy Thiesson, a year later. The two were wed in an intimate ceremony in Calgary on February 20, 2016, surrounded by the love and support of cherished family and friends. He was predeceased by Nancy in 2017.

Don accomplished much during his career as a Printer Technician, establishing himself at the top of his trade. He was particularly proud of completing the Dale Carnegie Training, while also winning the award for Effective Speaking and Human Relations for his class in 1990.

He loved his time golfing or riding his motorbike with friends and family. He also had an immense passion for music, regularly playing the guitar and drums. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren, Monty, Emmett, Sage, and Brooklyn, how to play these instruments.

Don’s most memorable vacation was when he, Nancy, and their son Andrew went to spend time with his father and sister in Smithers, BC, taking the Alaska Highway most of the way. On this trip, he was also able to fulfill his lifelong dream of dirt biking and gold panning in Alaska.

His favourite saying was, “Well Nancy, the problem is you’re standing too close to the ball, after you hit it!”

He will be most remembered for the mischievous twinkle in his eye, being there for his children, and for his time spent in his mancave, watching golf and music videos to extend his knowledge in these areas.

Don is survived by his two sons, Chris and Andrew Thiesson; three daughters-in-law, Jennifer Fox, Susan Grant, and Jennie Hawes; and four grandchildren, Monty, Brooklyn, Emmett, and Sage.

Don is also survived by his sister Joan Lanoue of Enderby, BC, and her son Jason Lanoue, as well as his brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Diane Bell of High River, AB, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and great friends.

Family and friends are invited to the Celebration of Don’s Life on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the residence of Andrew Thiesson. Please contact the family for location details at athiesson@hotmail.com. All are welcome to share any stories or memories as we reminisce about Don’s impact on our lives.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person, the family invites you to join virtually at the time of Don’s Celebration through the link below.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta at www.heartandstroke.ca, or in support of Chris Thiesson, for his contribution to the 100 km Cycle Challenge for the Heart & Stroke Foundation at www.facebook.com/donate/868986384812587/?fundraiser_source=external_url.

Andrew and Chris will be donating a park bench to the town of Strathmore in Don’s honor, with the location to be announced at a later date. If you would like to visit once the bench is officially placed, please contact the family for more details.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Don’s family here, or shared through their personal link here.

In living memory of Don Hoffman, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.

Click Here to Join Don's Celebration of Life