Loyal Hoffman was the youngest of nine children born to Delbert and Kate Hoffman on Shaw Island. His father, a boat builder, died when Loyal was fourteen months old.

Loyal met his lifelong sweetheart, Joan, at a dance in Sumas, and they were married in 1935. They had been married for 64 years when Joan preceded him in death in 1999.

Loyal and Joan made their home in Bellingham until 1970, when they moved to Shaw and in 1971 to Orcas. Loyal worked as a boat builder, owned a construction company, and built water storage tanks for Brooks Lumber Co. in Bellingham. In the twenty-odd years that he worked for Brooks his only contract was a handshake.

After “retirement” to Orcas in 1971, Loyal went to work for Glen Monson at Interisland Construction as a foreman. He had many happy years with Glen until he was forced to truly retire by an accident on a job site.

Loyal was coveted for his fine finish work. He was also coveted for his sense of humor. There was never a joke that he didn’t remember. Joan loved to tell the story of the year that Loyal was voted president of the Eagles Club in Bellingham. It was the only year that the club didn’t make money because, at every meeting, Loyal would just stand at the podium and tell jokes.

On May 13th the world lost one of its great men. In his humble way, Loyal taught those who knew him that honesty, hard work, common sense, personal integrity and humor are the cornerstones of a life well lived.

Loyal was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and all of his eight siblings. He is survived by his son, Robert; daughter, Linda; nephew and niece-in-law Henry and Marlyn and their children, Mike, Beth and Kathy.

His family would like to thank the staff at Island’s Convalescent Center for their loving care fof Loyal over the last several years. He loved and appreciated every single one of you.

A memorial service to celebrate Loyal’s life will be held at the West Sound Yacht Club this Saturday, June 3, at 1 p.m. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes and San Juan Islands.

To share memories of Loyal, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.