Hoffman, Edward ‘Bird’

Edward “Bird” Hoffman, 71. The world is a little less grrrrrreat today after the loss of the cheerful, positive spirit of Ed Hoffman, otherwise known as “Bird,” a name he applied to himself that expressed the upbeat style with which he approached life and work, family and friends. Ed was described by one of his colleagues as a “human exclamation point!” Ed liked that! He was a man of many enthusiasms. Whether it was for his achievements in real estate marketing and the home building field, his work with the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago, his curiosity and thirst for knowledge and insights to share with others, his keen observations and documentarian of human nature, his passionate involvement and activism in local politics designed to make the world a more just place or his endless love of family and friends, Ed was in fact that “human exclamation point.” A guy who would always answer the question “How’re you doin’?” with a resounding “Grrrrrrrreat!” If that makes you smile, it’s a fitting way to remember and honor “Bird”. Ed is survived by his Partner-in-Love, Sarah Stafford, proudly self-described as Ed’s “Ladybird” for 21

years, brother Buz (Joey) Hoffman, sisters Bonnie (Dr. Art) Lustig and Robbie (Scott) Schreiber. And his rock band of nieces and nephews who their “Unca Eddy” loved as his own, Andria (Aaron) Winter, Lacey (Brian) Weisbaum, Jessica (Andy) Kim, Sam (fiance Eman) Hoffman, Joe (Ari) Lustig, Sarah Lustig, Aaron (Haylee) Schreiber and Ilana Schreiber. Beloved son

of the late Jack and Selma Hoffman. A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 30, 10:00 at

Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd. (at Niles Center Road) Skokie. Masks will be required at the chapel. Donations may be made to American Civil Liberties Union - Illinois, 150 N. Michigan Avenue,

Chicago, IL 60601, www.aclu-il.org or to PBS WTTWChicago, 5400 N St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625, www.wttw.com or the Klezmer Music Foundation, 4025 Harvard Terrace, Skokie, IL 60076, www.klezmermusicfoundation.org. To attend the funeral live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com