In Memory
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Jerome Michael Hoffman
Sep. 7, 1935 - May 27, 2025
Jerome Michael Hoffman, known to many as simply “Coach”, passed away in his home on May 27, 2025. He was born September 7, 1935 in South Bend, Indiana to the late John F. Hoffman, and Bernice (Tomaszewski) Hoffman.
He was a man dedicated to life. Jerry graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1953 and continued his education at The University of Notre Dame, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mathematics and Science in 1957. In 1960, he was granted a Fellowship for an intensive year of training in Russian at Indiana University, Bloomington. He then continued his study of the Russian language at the University of Moscow and cultivated his love of languages further in studying Polish at the University of Warsaw in Poland.
His drive for teaching and his love for languages led him back to the classroom where he taught Russian and math at North Liberty HS and continued his teaching career at many of the South Bend public schools. He was a “fisherman” of students sharing his passion for linguistics and hunting and fishing. Often, he told stories of his adventures catching blue gills and hunting wild game. While pursuing his passions, he met and courted a young English teacher at Washington HS. She shared his passion for the outdoors. They had many dates fishing on Pleasant Lake and “running” his hunting dogs in open fields. They married on August 29th, 1970 at Sacred Heart Church on the campus of Notre Dame.
Jerry got the title of Coach when his daughters, Lorilynn and Lisa, shared his passion for running. He tirelessly studied the sport and helped coach St. Anthony’s track team in the ICCL. In the fall of 1987, St. Joseph High School needed a cross country coach, and he happily stepped in to coach Lorilynn and her teammates. He was the head boys and girls cross country coach for 25 years. Jerry coached his teams to two NIC Boys’ championships, three ISHAA Boys’ Sectional championships, three IHSAA state finals. His girls’ teams won three IHSAA Girls’ Sectional championships, three IHSAA Regional championships, and coached he four IHSAA state finalists. His coaching motto was “God first, then family, then academics, then athletics.” His daughters both carry on his coaching legacy today.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Norma, his daughters Lorilynn Bloomer (Chris) of South Carolina and Lisa Oleksak (Joe) of Illinois, six grandchildren (Sam and Zoe Bloomer and Erin, Brendan, Gabe and Megan Oleksak), brother Jim (Jackie) Hoffman, sister Christine Keres, and several nieces and nephews. His brother, Tom, preceded him in death in 2021.
Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3rd from 4:00-7:00pm at Kaniewski Funeral Home. Additional visitation will be on Wednesday, June 4th at 10:00am followed by mass at 11:00am at Christ the King Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Joseph High School via this link: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E346966&id=1
08/01/025 DEC
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