Obituary of Donald A. Hoffend

Alexandria, VA: Donald Aloysius Hoffend, age 94, died peacefully on April 13, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was born in Rochester, NY, first child of five to Aloysius (AJ) and Emma Hoffend. Don graduated from Monroe High School in 1938. On June 19, 1943, Don and Marian E. Pettis were married at St. Anne’s Church, Rochester, NY, was a foreman at Kodak, and then enlisted in the Marine Corps. After WWII, Don grew his father’s scenery and stage equipment business into a global leading manufacturer and installer to many domestic performing arts facilities and exporting to over 30 countries. Ahead of his time, major achievements included the first computerized opera house in the world at Caracas, Venezuela, post fire rebuild of the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, opera houses in Brussels, Buenos Aires and Madrid. He was a lifetime member of IATSE Local 25 Stage Hands Union, and Ironworkers International 433 Award winner. Other entrepreneurial activities included real estate, machine shops and flying cargo to the Caribbean islands in a converted B25. Don was a golfer, bowler, pilot, skier, Buffalo Bills fan and dirt bike rider. He enjoyed clearing the woods on his Conesus Lake farm while maintaining a winter home in the Florida Keys at Marathon. Don has been described as a good, loving man, who was always there for others, especially his family, friends, and employees. His wife of 63 years, Marian d.2005, brother Robert, sister Eunice, and grandson, Michael Walther predecease Don. He is survived by brothers Richard and Daniel, five children: Judith, Nancy Walther, Donald Jr., Deborah Jaques, and Jack; 12 grandchildren: Andrea Walther-Puri, Michael Walther, Alexis Walther, Donald III (Trip) and Carly Gasior, Aloysia, Parker, Curtis and Sidney Jaques, Nikolaus, Larissa and Yelena; 6 great-grandchildren: Hailey, Donald IV (Cade), Adelina, Lenora, Ava and Leona Jaques, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Of all his endeavors, devotion and care for his family came first. Don will be remembered as a wholly devoted family patriarch. Friends and family may call FRIDAY from 4:00-7:00 at Miller Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., 3325 Winton Road S. Donald's Funeral Mass will be held SATURDAY 10:30 AM in St. Anne Church, 1600 Mt. Hope Ave., Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Home Rochester, NY / Alexandria, VA Birthplace Rochester, New Yiork Donations Wounded Warrior Project in his memory...