John Joseph "Jack" Hofstetter, 73, died peacefully at home after a courageous two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jack spent his youth in Houston, Texas, attended Rice University and graduated from St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas. Jack was a great athlete in school, winning many awards in track and field events. Jack proudly served in the U.S. Air Force in the Medical Service Corps for four years. After his military commitment, Jack spent 20-plus years with Johnson & Johnson, several of those as marketing director in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he could really enjoy his passion for golf. After his European adventures, he settled in the Philadelphia area for about 10 years until his second home in Sawgrass called to him.
Jack moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1998 and joined Watson Realty Corp. as a sales associate, and later as assistant manager of the Ponte Vedra office. He retired to fully enjoy his life of travel and golf in Sawgrass Country Club in 2014. Jack volunteered with the Beaches unit of the American Cancer Society, helping to run its “Take a Swing at Cancer” golf event for many years.
Jack leaves behind his loving wife of nine years and business partner, Barbara Short Maple; his three sons, John of St. Petersburg, Florida, James (Katie) and granddaughter Elizabeth of Smithfield, North Carolina, and Robert of St. Petersburg; along with his extended stepfamily, David and Erin Maple, with grandkids Emily, David and William of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, John William and Ann Marie Koch Hofstetter.
We are thankful for the care of MD Anderson Cancer Center, which opened in Jacksonville the same month Jack was diagnosed; Dr. Vu, who helped to extend his life far beyond expectations; his family physician, Dr. Norenberg, for recognizing the symptoms and the loving care of Community Hospice at the end of his journey.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, at Our Lady Star of the Sea with Fr. David Keegan officiating. Military honors will be rendered after the conclusion of the mass by the United States Air Force.
Donations may be made in Jack’s memory to the American Cancer Society, Community Hospice & Palliative Care or a charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hardage-giddensbeacheschapel.com.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250; (904) 249-2374.
