Ferdinand "Fred" K. Hoffmann
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Ferdinand Karl (Fred) Hoffmann, age 92, formerly of Cheshire, passed away May 20, 2022 at Mt. Carmel Care Center in Lenox.
He was born on November 5, 1929 the son of Filipp and Katharina (Huber) Hoffmann in Karlsdorf, former Yugoslavia.
At the end of World War II, former Yugoslavian President Tito, forced all ethnic German people into Concentration Camps, Fred and his family were there from 1945 to 1947, then fled to Austria and Vienna.
Fred began his Electrician training in Torschau, former Yugoslavia and completed and graduated from Werkmeister Schule in Vienna.
He immigrated to Pittsfield, MA in 1956, returned to Vienna and was married to Therese "Ria" Geistlinger, then brought his bride back to Pittsfield.
He was employed by Siemens in Vienna, after his arrival in Pittsfield, he was employed by several companies, ending up working and retiring from General Electric Company. He traveled extensively for GE, including Europe.
Fred loved skiing, hiking with many friends and sailing with his boat on Pontoosuc Lake. He was a member of the National Ski Patrol, working at several ski areas.
The Hoffmann family visited Vienna quite often, and also traveled to Greece. He and Ria used their RV quite often, traveling all over the United States.
He is survived by his brothers, Walter and Werner and his wife Christine, sisters-in-law Erika Geistlinger and Josefine Geistlinger, nephew and nieces in Vienna, Austria.
He was predeceased by his wife Therese "Ria" Geistlinger Hoffmann on January 20, 2014; their son Peter and Walter's wife, Elisabeth, Sister and brother-in-law Karla and Georg Schroeck, and brothers-in-law Hans Geistlinger, Martin Geistlinger and Paul Geistlinger.
Amy Davidson and Mike McCarthy wish to thank Devonshire Estates for the kindness they showed him from January 2017 to April 2019.
Also, we wish to thank Mount Carmel Care Center for the wonderful care and kindness taking care of Fred, after being a patient there from December 2016, Fred was very much impressed with the care he was given there until January 2017.
If someone wishes, please donate to the Berkshire Humane Society, as Fred was an avid animal lover. There will be no calling hours due to Covid and funeral services will be private at Cheshire Cemetery. Dery-Cheshire Funeral Home, 121 N. State Rd, Cheshire, MA is handling the arrangements.