Sanders Hoffman

December 24, 1951 - May 16, 2022

Sanders “Sandy” H. Hoffman, 70, of Southington, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2022, at Hartford Hospital after a courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma. Sandy was born in Middletown, CT on December 24, 1951, to the late Hy and Claire (Radeen) Hoffman and had been a longtime Southington resident. He was predeceased by his wife of 43 years Rachel (Bowman) Hoffman. Sandy was a graduate of Southern CT State University, and he worked as a Public Insurance Adjuster as a partner in the firm of Tancreti, Phipps, Hoffman & Biller d.b.a United Adjusters. However, his true passion was his decades-long career in high school athletics where he worked as a basketball official for the International Board of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) Board 6 and as an umpire for the Middletown Board of Umpires. Throughout his career, Sandy officiated many high school baseball and basketball tournaments and served as the President of the Middletown Board of Umpires and both the local and state boards of IAABO. Over the years, Sandy was honored to receive many awards and recognition for his dedication to high school athletics. In 2016, he was named Umpire of the Year by the CIAC Coaches Association, and in 2020 he was inducted into the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame. Most recently, he received a lifetime achievement award from IAABO, and his local Board established an annual service award and scholarship in his name. Sandy enjoyed horse racing, trips to Saratoga, and rooting for the Atlanta Braves, the NY Giants, and UCONN basketball. Most of all, he loved his family and was happiest spending time with his children and grandchildren. After a honeymoon trip to Lake George and Saratoga, NY, Sandy and Rachel returned there each year, beginning a family tradition that extended to their children and grandchildren. He will be remembered for his incredible sense of humor, quick wit, dedication to his family, and a lifetime of friendships. Sandy has been an inspiration to others by showing his strong will and ability to persevere through life’s most difficult challenges including both his own and his wife’s simultaneous cancer journeys. Sandy is survived by his two children, daughter, Jennifer Kazakewich, and her husband Michael of Milford, CT, son, Jonathan Hoffman and his wife Karessa of Maple Grove, MN and 4 grandchildren, Anna and Andrew Kazakewich and Emmalyn and Kasen Hoffman. He is also survived by his brother, Michael Hoffman, and wife Rhoda of Boynton Beach, FL, many nieces and nephews, and many close friends. Sandy’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire team at the Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center at Hartford Hospital for their kindness, compassion, and excellent care. Donations in Sandy’s memory may be made to the Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center at Hartford Hospital - Philanthropy, 80 Seymour St., P.O. Box 5037, Hartford, CT 06102-5037 (https://giving.hartfordhospital.org/ appreciate). A celebration of Sandy’s life will be held at a future date. Plantsville Funeral Home has been entrusted with handling the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.