RIP BigAlDoc

[Robie]

RIP BigAlDoc.
Sad.

[Rudi]

RIP BigAl. May you find peace and rest in the place you are now. Condolences to family and friends; my heart goes out with you in his absence. You will be missed friend, safe travels...

[DollyP]

So sad to get this news. I only knew Al through this forum, and Woodys before that, but felt I knew him personally. Thoughts are with his family.

God bless.

[D Willett]

Only just seen this, tragic news. Condolences to family, friends and acquaintances.
Really sad news.

RIP BigAlDoc

[Doc Watson]

I don't visit the Lounge much anymore and was shocked and saddened to learn of Al's passing. He was always welcoming and helpful to all. A fine man, a devoted husband, father and family man. And a solid friend to many here in his extended "family".

Big Al has placed his final "backup" in The Cloud. He will be missed.

[StoneChucker]

It's very sad to be learning of this news now, some 6 months after BigAl's passing. Al was the sort of guy I'd have some differences of opinion with at times, but we always found away to keep them away from affecting a friendship.

I too will miss Al, and give my thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.

Christopher

[StuartR]

Some time this week there has been a change in Facebook, whenever I view a custom list Facebook shows me the profile picture of someone in that list. I got quite a shock just now when I opened a list that included BigAl and saw this picture.

BigAl.jpg

Gone, but not forgotten

[Rudi]

Gone, but not forgotten

Absolutely, every now and then I come across a reply from BigAl...and I read it with respect and fondness...

[mishmish3000]

Yeah, I think about him quite often. Miss him!

[BobArch2]

Remembering BigAl on the anniversary of his passing.

R.I.P. old friend...

[HansV]

A year already? How time flies...

Gone, but not forgotten.

[aekyall]

Like all here, I miss his contributions enormously, and he often comes to mind when I'm in the Lounge visiting the various forums he used to frequent. I took another look at his obituary memorial in the Lexington Herald a couple of months back; it was still there as a reminder, but believe that they get removed after 12 months.
RIP Al

Edited: Just checked again and Al's 'guest book' is still active - it gets removed tomorrow, 19th

[Rudi]

Already 1 year... my goodness.
BigAl has a good head start on us on the celestial forum that he probably is administering.

You are remembered Al...

[mishmish3000]

Boy, I miss him.

[PJ_in_FL]

Like all here, I miss his contributions enormously, and he often comes to mind when I'm in the Lounge visiting the various forums he used to frequent. I took another look at his obituary memorial in the Lexington Herald a couple of months back; it was still there as a reminder, but believe that they get removed after 12 months.
RIP Al

Edited: Just checked again and Al's 'guest book' is still active - it gets removed tomorrow, 19th

Can you please post a copy / screenshot of the guest book to keep it alive?

[HansV]

Text of the obituary:

HOFFMAN Albert E., 75, died May 18, 2013. He is the widower of Billie Jo Locker Hoffman who died on August 4, 2010. Al was born in Huntington, NY but spent a good part of his youth in Northport, NY where he graduated from Northport High School in 1955. He was the son of Ernest and Agnes Hoffmann, both deceased. Al is survived by one son, Albert T. (Angie) Hoffman and two grandsons, Billy and Dylan Hoffman, all of Versailles, KY. He also leaves sister Margaret (Joe) Davenport, New York, brother Ernest (Gail) Hoffmann, New Hampshire and sister Anne (Bob) McDermott, FL After graduating from high school, Al entered the US Army and was on active duty for nine years. He met and married his wife while both were stationed near Orleans, France. Upon discharge from the Army Al spent a 28 year career with IBM, retiring in Lexington in 1992. His IBM service also included assignments in Colorado and a division headquarters in New Jersey. Services are being planned for a later date.

And of the guest book (as of 19-May-2014 13:00 UTC):

May 18, 2014
Still remembered, one year on, by his many friends from across the world. RIP Big Al
~
Keith,
Whitehaven, UK


March 10, 2014
I went to grade & high school with Al. At that time he was tall and skinny, real thin. Always a gentleman and an all around nice guy. I know that you all will miss him, but he is happy to be with him lovely wife. May they both rest in peace and God bless his family who will miss them both dearly.
~
Sylvia Turrell,
Indialantic, Florida


May 29, 2013
Al was a great man he was devoted to his wife. He also was a great friend he was always willing to talk if you needed someone. He will be greatly missed.
~
Bea Johnson,
Nicholasville, Kentucky


May 29, 2013
A Great man inside and out.Always a gentleman. I know you are so happy to be at Billie's side. Love Ya and Miss ya!!
~
Linda Scott,
Lexington, Kentucky


May 21, 2013
I have many fond memories of Al's ever cheerful and helpful presence when we were both at KET. My sympathy to all his loved ones.
~
Ruth Styles-Hawk,
Williamsburg, Ohio


May 20, 2013
My sincere and heart-felt condolences to Al's family and loved ones. Although we never met except in cyberspace, I consider Al to have been one of my best friends.
One of my fondest memories of Big Al is from a thread on Eileen's Lounge. It was about cats. I remember that he posted a photo of his black cat, whom he must have loved dearly, saying, "I am her slave!"
Rest in peace, my friend!
~
Bob Hutchins,
Temple, Texas


May 20, 2013
Very sad news for me. I worked with Al at IBM in Lexington, Boulder and New Jersey for many years. He was always a very jolly guy with a big heart and honest to the core. Thanks Al, for being such a good friend. My sincere condolences to his family. May God Bless you and AL!
~
Rodger Creel,
Lafayette, Colorado


May 20, 2013
Regarded him as a friend although we only corresponded through Eileen's Lounge. Has left a big hole in my life.
~
Jeff,
UK


May 20, 2013
Abschied mien freund! Farewell my friend!
Al volunteered at Thomson-Hood Veteran's
Center for many years. He will certainly be missed as an escort for resident trips and by the I.T. dept. for his work done there.
~
Chad Allen,
THVC


May 20, 2013
Al was an enduring friend. for nearly 30 years we kibitzed about computer issues, our families and the state of the world. He always had a friendly smile, a hearty laugh and an encouraging comment. Our condolences to "little Al" and the extended family.
~
Paul Stackhouse,
Lexington, Kentucky


May 20, 2013
RIP Al, you were a friend to many from all over the world. You will be missed.
~
Tony Evans,
Chesham, UK


May 20, 2013
I will always appreciate Big Al for befriending my dad at Thomson-Hood. And I will always remember him for becoming my friend as well. My sympathy to his family, but I know he is happy that he is reunited with Billie, the love of his life.
~
H.B. Elkins,
Beattyville, Kentucky


May 20, 2013
All that knew him feel the big empty hole left behind! He and Billie are finally together again. RIP dear friend !
~
Missy Peel,
Nicholasville, Kentucky


May 20, 2013
I too knew Al online, through Woody's then Eileen's Lounge, as well as Facebook.
Al was somebody I regarded as a real friend- he always had positive things to say to me, and we had many discussions together online. I'm really sorry I never got to meet him face to face.
RIP Al. You will be missed.
~
Geoff Whitfield,
Canberra


May 19, 2013
What a great guy - he will be missed by all of us at Eileen's Lounge.
~
Peggy,
Minneapolis, Minnesota


May 19, 2013
I got to know BigAl through Woody's and Eileen's Lounges back in the mid late 1990's.
He was always there to help and be a crutch when needed.
May the Gods bless him and Billie that they together again.
~
David Abernathy,
Renton, Washington


May 19, 2013
Deepest sympathies to the family of Al Hoffman - Truly a gentleman and pioneer of the digital age. Honest to himself, his beloved wife (pre-deceased), and anyone he came into contact with.
Prayers go with him and Billie.
~
Bob Leduc,
Lewiston, Maine


May 19, 2013
My sincere condolences to Al's relatives and friends. Bigaldoc, as we knew him in Eileen's Lounge, was a father figure for many members of our online community. He will be dearly missed.
~
HansV,
Leiden, The Netherlands


May 19, 2013
Blessings to Al's family and friends. I feel honored to have known Al. He was a wonderful person. God bless.
~
Anne Talbott,
Milton, Tennessee


May 19, 2013
My sincere condolences to all the family. I never met Al in person but, like many, many others, I knew him from his association with Eileen's Lounge. A true gentleman, always happy to help others. He will be much missed.
~
Keith,
Whitehaven - UK


May 19, 2013
Al and the Hoffman family, please accept my deepest condolences. Big Al was a good man and a good friend. Football season will not be the same without "The Commissioner". Thank you Big Al, for your service to our nation and to those who served. I know you and Mrs Hoffman are together again. Rest in peace - you will be missed.
~
Dan Peters,
Lexington, Kentucky


May 19, 2013
This is a copy of my post on Eileen's Lounge, when I heard of Al's passing. A very sad day for all of us.
--------------
I came to know Al from the original Woodies Lounge, now Eileen's. Through the years, we exchanged messages and news of one another's coming and goings. We got to calling each other by our military association. He was "soldier or Sarge," I was "sailor or SeaBee." When Billie passed, I hoped that somehow I was able to comfort him in his sorrow.
Now he is gone to be with her. Rest in bountiful peace, Al.
I and all of us here in the Lounge already miss you so much.
~
Bob,
Cape Cod, Massachusetts


May 19, 2013
My sincerest condolences to the Hoffman family on the passing of Al. I knew BigAl through Woody's and Eileen's Lounges where he was an active member and provided help to so many. He will be sadly missed.
R.I.P. BigAl, you shall not be forgotten by your many friends who you helped over the years.
~
Bob Archell,
Pickering, Ontario

[StuartR]

My Facebook just flashed up the message "Today is Al Hoffman's birthday".

We miss you BigAl.

[Rudi]

Happy birthday BigAl; big celebrations wherever you are.

[stuck]

They broke the mould when they made him. Big Al was special.

Ken

[BobArch2]

My Facebook just flashed up the message "Today is Al Hoffman's birthday".

We miss you BigAl.

Birthday or second anniversary of his passing?

Regardless, he will always be remembered as a kind and friendly soul.