Harry William Hoffman, Jr.

Harry William Hoffman Jr.

May 12, 1936-March 25, 2024

Harry Hoffman Jr. couldn’t wait to join his beloved wife, Lydia, in heaven! Just 32 days after her passing, he made it. He born in Philadelphia the son of Harry and Alberta (née Reeves). A very precocious child, the doctor told his parents the only way to calm him down was to have another child! Enter his brother, John. Whether it ever slowed him down is debatable, but Harry did gain a lifelong friend.

Harry met the love of his life, Lydia, the summer before 4th grade in a music camp. He came home that night and told his parents there was “a cute little girl with chubby cheeks and braids playing the clarinet who couldn’t play a note.” Harry & Lydia were inseparable for the next 77 years. His deep love and commitment to her was evident to all.

Harry earned an Associates Degree in Electronics from Temple University. He then traveled the world with the Naval Air Reserve from 1953-1961. At one point, he filled his Douglas R5D Spymaster transport plane with Christmas trees from Berks County. They flew them halfway around the world and distributed them to all the US Naval ships in port! He retired with a rank of P.O. 2nd Class Electronics Technician. 

Harry had a fulfilling career in fiber optics with Bell Labs for 30 years. He also worked at GAI-Tronics for ten years as a Communication Equipment Engineer.

Known by the HAM radio community by his call sign, W3VBY, Harry was a very active member of the Reading Radio Club. Over the years, he held the positions of President, Secretary, and Volunteer Exam Coordinator. He really enjoyed mentoring people to pass their exam. He particularly loved participating in HAM Fest and Field Day every year!

Some of his other favorite things were Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, the great outdoors, reptiles, and getting into trouble with his four grandchildren. He was the kind of guy who could never sit still and loved working with his hands. He would often enjoy helping with repairs on his sons’ rental properties and stepping in for anyone who needed a handyman.

Harry was also very involved with his church, Calvary Baptist. For years, he served on the Missions Committee and ran sound during services.

Sharing his abiding faith in Jesus Christ was truly his lifelong passion though. For sixty years, he and his wife, Lydia, worked with Child Evangelism Fellowship holding Good News Clubs for local children. He was the Chairman of the Committee for CEF of Reading & Berks County, serving on the Committee since 1963.  He even attended his last meeting just a few days before he passed! He was also well known in Reading for his Dial-A-Story programs and as a leader of Boys Brigade at church. In his life, he embodied their motto, “Sure & Steadfast.”

Left to keep his memory alive are his sons David, Mark (Helene), Paul (Sarah), four devoted grandchildren, his brother John (Nancy), sister-in-law Margaret “Peggy” Thorndike (Richard), nieces and nephews, and hundreds of people whose lives he’s spoken in to over the decades. 

A memorial will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, 510 Park Ave., Reading, PA 19611 on Friday, April 5th. Visitation from 9 AM-11:00 AM. Service at 11:30 AM. The burial will be held afterwards in a private family service at Memory Gardens in Ephrata. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to CEF of Reading and Berks County, 1307 Good St., Reading, PA 19602. https://www.cefberks.com/