by Joseph H. RADDER
John P. Hoffman decided to break the tradition in the family succession of doctors and it
turned out to be a great decision.
Hoffman graduated from Nichols School in Buffalo and went on to study at Harvard. Shortly
after his entrance into Harvard, Hoffman left to serve as a medical technician in the
Army.
He went back to Harvard, graduated and moved back to teach at the
University of Buffalo.
Hoffman then turned down an acceptance into the UB Medical School.
Instead Hoffman joined John Hanncock, where he stayed for 47 years, working in estate
planning and business insurance.
Hoffman served as president of the Harvard Club of Western New York and
organized the National Meeting of the Harvard Alumni in Buffalo in 1959.
Hoffman has also been Chairman of the board for the WNY American Heart
Association and Chairman of the Association of the Vestry at Trinity Episcopal Church.
He’s been on the Board of Directors for the Young Republicans and served on the
National Board of the New York State Fundraising Advisory.
Hoffman, like most Buffalonians, is an avid sports fan. He had season
tickets for the Bills when they played at War Memorial Stadium, affectionately known as
“the old Rock Pile.”
Hoffman was also one of the original investors in the Sabres during the
1969-70 season and he’s had season tickets for over forty years.
Although Hoffman officially retired five years ago, he’s still going strong.
Joseph H. Radder is a freelance writer.