chapter 375
3/1/2015
Clifton Park Soap Opera
everything is connected
Chance or fate? Everybody faces tragedy in life. It's how you cope with it that counts.
Searching for the photo club transportation theme, discovered a shot I took one mile from home on 8/15/2012 but neglected to discuss because it can be awkward. If I had been dog sitting Misha, we would have been on our favorite path 100 yards from the site that morning. Two prominent developers, President and VP of the billion dollar United Group of Companies who were also pilots died when their Beechcraft engine quit a few minutes after takeoff. The accident scene homeowner, B. Jeanne Hoffman, heard the thud came out to check on the pilots, took pulse, then called 911. Her husband Howard D Hoffman, Jr passed away in 2013.
The Hoffman Empire in the Capitol District has been massive. From Hoffman's Playland to the Turf Marriott Hotels on Wolf Road to America's busiest carwash in Clifton Park, Jiffy Lubes, Wit's End, Golf driving ranges, bowling alleys, ice cream stands, etc. I've certainly been to most of them.
The incredible dynasty began with Charles A Hoffman in the late 1800's and their lake ice harvesting on Littles Lake in Menands. The empire really expanded under Howard D Hoffman with his County Excavation in 1955. There's money in dirt. His 5 sons and 3 daughters and their many offspring have all been major players in the above mentioned businesses.
Jean M Hoffman was one of the daughters of Howard D Hoffman, Sr. I met her when she had been Chairman of the Board of Trustees of our Saratoga Automobile Museum. Her 1957 Chevy sits atop the lift awaiting restoration at this world famous perfumer's Bvlgari restoration facility . I took this shot on our SAM road trip to Allentown, PA on 10/15/2004 . Most of the cars are in the Buick genre, like the beautiful 1930's red coupe in the foreground. This Jean Hoffman also lives just down the road near exit 8. There has been a well documented sad and sordid chapter of incest, rape, and murder involving her estranged husband Cruickshank. The victim had been living in the nearby Mohawk Terrace Apartments a place where my family members have also lived.
So, long convoluted story short: 2 (Jean Jeanne) sisters-in-law Hoffmans live within 3 miles of me. One married into a prominent family and lived in a house narrowly missed by the Plane crash disaster. The other one was in a direct blood line within that same prominent family and had to cope other unbelievable nightmare tragedies.
United Group properties top from SUNY Cortland to Florida. Hoffman's 20 car wash, 10 Jiffy Lubes, 4 plus hotels. This Wolf Road Holiday Inn Turf Hotel was sold but it's where owner Howard had first met Jeanne working there. I spent time in their popular lounge and had U.S. Airline Christmas parties there receiving complimentary rooms. Ironic that these two heavy weight real estate developer groups came together in this plane crash in Vischer Ferry.
moral: Enjoy life no matter what. You never know when you'll have to face an absolute catastrophe, a near miss or an amazing lucky fortune.
I keep most chapters on the positive uplifting side by design, but occasionally have to interject the darker side of life as a balance for perspective. Yin and Yang. It's just unbelievable to me how much goes on within 3 miles of home and how influential the Hoffman family has been in the Capital District.
Jeanne
Saratogian Jeanne video interview 1pm
Billion dollar developers perish in crash
Jean
Gazette Nov 1982 Dawn Cruickshank
NYT 1983 Dawn release on appeal
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