Committal Service for Husband and Wife

Muriel and C.O. "Hoffie" Hoffacker

Friday, August 12, 2011 at 11:00am Graveside (Section 7 Lot 2 Grave 9)

Clair Oliver “Hoffie” Hoffacker, 85, of Vero Beach, and Marion, Mass., died peacefully at home, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002. He was the husband of Muriel Allen Hoffacker; they were married 60 years.

Born in Hanover, Pa., July 25, 1917, he moved to Rhode Island in 1935, where he met his wife.

Mr. and Mrs. Hoffacker founded the C.O. Hoffacker Co., a designer and re-builder of large-scale machine tools and equipment used worldwide for industrial applications. Located in Rhode Island, their company also maintained offices in England and Italy.

During World War II, he developed a technique for machining engine gears that reduced the enemy’s ability to identify US Naval vessels by their sound signatures, thereby making sonar identification difficult.

He was recognized in Rhode Island for his involvement in establishing the first Santa Claus drive for underprivileged children; sponsoring Little League teams for more than 20 years; and participating in Rotary Club charities.

He was an avid antique train collector and recognized in the “Train Collector’s Encyclopedia.” He was an accomplished sailor, and had designed a modification for racing yachts to accommodate diesel engines. He was an avid snow skier, enjoying a vacation home in Stratton, VT., enjoyed water skiing; and was an enthusiastic golfer.

Following his retirement, he and his wife shared their time between their homes in Marion and John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, before moving to Riomar Drive, Charlestown Square, last summer.

He enjoyed memberships at the Kittansett Club in Marion, John’s Island Club and the Riomar Bay Yacht Club in Vero Beach. He was a past member of the Friends of Riverside Theatre.

He was a member of the Community Church in Vero Beach and the First Church of Christ in Marion.

Survivors include his widow; two sons, Allen Hoffacker of Suffield, Conn., and James Hoffacker of North Carolina; two daughters, Laurie Kaneb Stewart of Vero Beach and Joy Hoffacker of Westfield, N.J.; and seven grandchildren.

His memorial service was held on Oct. 12 in Grace Chapel at the Community Church, Vero Beach, with a reception following at the Vero Beach Country Club.

Arrangements were made by the Strunk Funeral Homes and Pre-Need Center, Vero Beach Chapel

Find A Grave Memorial# 73097671

Muriel Allen Hoffacker, beloved widow of Clair Oliver Hoffacker, died peacefully at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach on Sunday, June 26, 2011.

Muriel was born and raised in Cranston, Rhode Island, and while attending Brown University, she met her husband and soul mate of 60 years, Clair (known familiarly as Hoffie), who passed away in September, 2002. Together they founded the C.O. Hoffacker Company, which evolved into a major international industrial equipment manufacturing and re-building company.

Their four children: Allen Hoffacker of Suffield, Connecticut; Laurie Kaneb Stewart of Vero Beach, Florida; Joy Hoffacker of Westfield, New Jersey; and Jim Hoffacker of Norfolk, Virginia, were raised in Providence and Warwick Neck, Rhode Island. The family also enjoyed a ski home in Stratton, Vermont and a summer home in Marion, Massachusetts. Upon retiring, they moved to Vero Beach where they resided at John’s Island for ten years before moving to Charleston Square on Riomar Drive.

Muriel was an active water skier, snow skier, sailor and golfer. She enjoyed playing Bridge, and was a active Garden Club member for many years. She was a member of the John’s Island Club, Kittansett Club, Quail Valley Club, Vero Beach Yacht Club, and the Community church of Vero Beach.

She will always be remembered for her grace, courage and strength in all situations – an inspiration to all who knew her.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the VNA Hospice House.  Sympathy cards may be sent to Strunk Funeral Homes.