George Hoff

George Hoff, 89, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010 at his residence, surrounded by his loving family, Rabbi and close friends. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, 1:00 pm at Beth David Synagogue with Rabbi Eliezer Havivi officiating. Burial will follow in the Hebrew Cemetery in Greensboro. Shiva minyans will be at 5:45 pm Sunday-Thursday at the Hoff’s home.

George was born on December 29, 1920 and raised in New York City. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School and in 1942, from Fordham University as a pharmacist. George served in the Navy in World War II as a First Class Petty Officer and pharmacist.

In the early 1950’s, George and his wife Muriel moved to Greensboro, NC, to build their life together and raise a family. George changed professions, and became the top national salesman for Paymaster Checkwriter Machines Corp., where he was a distributor for over 50 years. Wherever his travels took him, he always thought Greensboro was the cleanest and most beautiful city of all.

George is survived by Muriel, his beloved wife of 65 years, son David Hoff, his wife Nina and their daughter Esther of West Hartford, CT, son Stephen Hoff of Chapel Hill, NC, daughter Cindy Hoff, of Durham, NC, and son-in-law Dan Watson of Hendersonville, NC, who was married to George and Muriel’s daughter, “Rio” Ellen Hoff Watson; blessed be her memory. Rio passed away in Feb. 2008. In his later years, George derived great joy from his only grandchild, Esther, whom he adored and was very proud of.

George and his wife Muriel have been prominent and devoted members of Beth David Synagogue for over 55 years. In that time, he was the President of the Men’s Club for 2 terms, developed the synagogue telephone directory, founded the “Hi-Lo’s” Musical Group for the Mother’s Day Brunch and chaired the program for over 25 years, and founded and organized the first Cadillac dinners. George was also awarded the Person of the Year award at the Synagogue.

Through the years, George and Muriel sponsored many children in Camp Ramah’s summer program, established the first philanthropic fund with the Jewish Foundation of Greensboro and sponsored many Visiting Scholar weekends for the Jewish Community.

George Hoff will be remembered as having a big smile, an easy laugh, a quick wit and a generous and uplifting Spirit; always encouraging and supporting others to achieve and do their best.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial contributions made in George’s honor be sent to: Beth David Synagogue, George and Muriel Hoff Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund, 804 Winview Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410 (336-294-0007) and/or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405.