Frank E. Hofmann of Tewksbury, formerly of Wilmington and Malden, died Friday, May 23, 2008 at the Wingate Nursing Home in Andover. Frank was born on April 14, 1930 in Melrose, the son of the late Frank E. Hofmann, Sr. and Dorothy C. Jones Hofmann. He was raised and educated in Melrose, graduating from Melrose High School in the class of 1948.
Frank enlisted into the U.S. Air Force on October 2, 1950. While in the service, he was part of the inaugural 3635th Combat Crew Training Squadron which trained Air Force pilots how to survive in enemy territory in the event their aircraft was shot down or they were forced to eject due to an emergency. He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal for his service. Frank was honorably discharged on October 1, 1954 in Reno, NV.
After returning home, Frank married Irene G. Heath, in Easton, MA. on August 17, 1957. Frank and Irene enjoyed almost 51 years of marriage together as they raised and cared for their family.
Frank worked for Commercial Filters, once located across from Pine Banks. Later, he was hired by Watts Regulators Co. where he worked for over 35 years as a product manager. During his time at Watts, Frank attended school at night at the then Lowell Technological Institute, earning his Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Frank retired from Watts in 1997 and continued to work part time for the company until he officially retired in 2001.
Frank was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Malden and the Boston Baptist Social Union. He also participated in programs with the Wakefield Retired Men’s Club and the Tewksbury Senior Center. He enjoyed playing cards at the center, especially cribbage. Frank loved the outdoors particularly hiking, and woodworking. He was a former Scoutmaster of Troop 776 in N. Reading for many years, teaching the boys survival skills. Frank also loved to travel and had been an avid golfer in his earlier years.
Frank is survived by his beloved wife Irene G. Hofmann, his sons Peter F. Hofmann, Jeffery S. Hofmann, and Steven P. Hofmann, his grandson Jesse H. Hofmann, his sisters Jacqueline May, Beverly Sheehan, Elaine Gelardi, and Marlene Sinagra, as well as many nieces and nephews. The family has requested that donations in Frank’s memory be made to First Baptist Church, 493 Main St., Malden, MA 02148.
Arrangements was provided by the Weir MacCuish Funeral Home, 144 Salem Street in Malden.