Fr. James Hoffman, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Sacred Heart Province, died on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at the age of 82, at Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center in Manitowoc, WI. He was born on June 24, 1938, in Quincy, IL, to Milton and Eugenia (Arnold) Hoffman. He was the oldest of seven children. Baptized at Immaculate Conception Church in Quincy, IL, James completed his grade school education at St. Francis Solanus School. He attended St. Joseph’s Franciscan Seminary in Westmont, IL, for his high school and first two years of college.

His schooling was delayed a year while he recovered from rheumatic fever. He was determined to continue his studies and entered the Franciscan novitiate in Teutopolis, IL, on June 21, 1961. He professed his first vows on June 22, 1962, and continued his studies in philosophy in Cleveland, OH. He made his solemn profession as a Franciscan on June 22, 1965, and after completing his studies in theology in Teutopolis, IL, he was ordained to the priesthood there on June 13, 1967, by Bishop Jude Prost, OFM.

On June 18, 1967, he celebrated his first Mass at St. Francis Solanus Church, in Quincy, IL. He chose a quote from Teilhard de Chardin on his first Mass invitation that inspired him through the years: “Grant me to give you, Lord Jesus, my whole being, tree and fruit alike, the finished work as well as the harnessed power.”

Fr. Jim’s life of ministry began at St. Joseph Minor Seminary in Westmont, IL. While teaching, he was also a chaplain at George Williams College. From 1977 - 1985, Fr. Jim answered the invitation to be a missionary in Africa. He worked in Zaire and also the Africa Project. On returning back to the States, he was an assistant pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Petoskey, MI, for two years. For the next thirty years, Fr. Jim was involved with the Franciscan Outreach Program in Chicago, IL. He had a deep passion for the poor and the marginalized of society. While living at St. Peter Friary in Chicago, IL, his health began to decline in 2019. In September, 2020, Fr. Jim retired at Blessed Giles Friary in Manitowoc, WI. Three days after moving to Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center on March 3, he died.

Fr. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Eugenia Hoffman, a sister, Joyce Heinecke and her husband Bill, a brother-in-law, Richard Winking, and three nephews, Roger and Billy Heinecke and Tony Winking. He is survived by his Franciscan brothers of the Sacred Heart Province, his sisters, June Winking of Quincy, IL, Jean and her husband Clarence Goodwin of Quincy, IL, his brothers, Robert Hoffman of Bolingbrook, IL, Edward and his wife Diane Hoffman of Evansville, IN, and Daniel and his wife Cindy Hoffman of Quincy, IL. He is also survived by 18 nieces and nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

The friars would like to express their appreciation to Fr. Jim’s caregivers: those at Blessed Giles Friary, Holy Family Memorial Hospice, and at Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation.

There will be a private Mass of Resurrection on Friday, March 19, 2021. Following the Mass, Fr. Jim will be buried in the friars’ plot at Calvary Cemetery in Manitowoc, WI.

In your kindness, please consider making a donation in memory of Fr. Jim Hoffman, OFM, to the Franciscan Outreach Program. Please send your charitable contribution to: Franciscan Outreach: 717-B West 18th Street – Chicago, IL. 60606. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.

The Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the friars with funeral arrangements.

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