Barry ("Hoff") passed away on Sunday, October 26 in Montreal. He had been living in Montreal since he retired as a philosophy professor at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. Our condolences go out to his wife Sylvie and his children.
HOFFMASTER, Charles Barry (78) passed away October 26th, 2025 in Montreal. Barry was born May 17th, 1947 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Pauline C. Hoffmaster and J. Charles Hoffmaster. He is survived by his wife Sylvie, his son Nicolas, his daughter Samantha (Luis), his grand-children Darien and Leandro, his brother Ronald (Nancy), his nieces Erica (Ruben) and Amy (Josh), and many cousins. Barry studied at Dartmouth College and earned his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Minnesota. He immigrated to Canada where he led a distinguished career as a professor of philosophy at the University of Western Ontario. Barry was also director of the Westminster Institute for Ethics and Human Values. He published many articles and co-authored several books which advanced a more human approach to bioethics. Barry was passionate about reading and writing. His students learned to think critically and communicate effectively. Sports were always a big part of his life, from hitting wiffle balls in his backyard as a child to playing tennis in his seventies. Barry loved to travel. At conferences, he would explore in search of good food, a cold beer, and a quaint second-hand book store. A family man, he and Sylvie retired in Montreal where their son lived. Soon after, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease – a terrible foe which he faced with courage and resilience, never losing his contagious laugh nor his broad, beaming smile. A Celebration of Life will be held at Memoria in Montreal (1120 rue Jean-Talon Est) from 2-5pm on December 29th, 2025 with a tribute at 4pm.
https://www.memoria.ca/en/funeral-announcements/230785-charles-barry-hoffmaster/
Bill Marimow
Hoff -- or "Hoffy" as we called him at one time -- was a lifelong friend. At Haverford, he was a stellar student, a topnotch athlete -- he was one of the few 10th graders in our class to receive a varsity letter in football -- and an all-around great guy. After sophomore year, Barry lost over 60 pounds, ended his football career and developed a lethal jump shot from the top of the key, which helped power Slippery Rock, our intramural basketball team. Gerry Curtin and I served as usher and best man respectively at Barry's wedding to his wife Sylvie at an inn on the shores of Lake Huron. There's much more I could write about Barry, but I'll cease and desist here. We've lost a good man.
Kenneth Laughlin
Good bye Barry - I knew Barry in grade school (Manoa School) and spent many afternoons playing various sports with him, depending upon the season. [Most notably basketball at his house or in Tommy McDade’s garage] In 6th grade I could outjump him. That didn’t last long because he was a much better athlete than was I. After grade school Barry’s father took the three of us out to dinner to celebrate our 'graduation'. Barry was smart, friendly and a genuinely nice person.
Gerry Curtin
Bill Mrimow, as always is right: with Barry's passing we have lost a very good person. In the late summer of 1966, Barry, Bill (Mox) and I spend about 5 weekstraveling to and from California in Barry's Chevy 2 (or II ?). It resulted lifelong fun memories, and very many ties with two great friends. Barry will be missed by many.
Craig McGarvey
Barry was a great friend to all of us. Among our many associations, Barry and I were with each other in Mr. Kalmbach's German class for three years. My favorite memory involves Hoffy and Duncan (Dewey) Ewing. I was a seat behind Dewey, and Barry was across from him. Herr Kalmbach asked Dewey what was the ending of a verb, was it er or en. The correct answer was en, but I whispered to Dewey, "er," and Barry then whispered to Dewey, "er." So Dewey answered to Herr Kalmbach, "er," and everybody laughed including even Mr. Kalmbach. Rest in peace, Barry Hofmaster.
Geoff Orth
https://www.echovita.com/ca-fr/avis-de-deces/qc/montreal/charles-barry-hoffmaster-20501899
Michael DeLaurentis
Stunned and saddened. Solid guy and accomplished scholar. We traded philosophical insights and articles over a period of years. I am pleased to be acknowledged as a reader/"critiquer" in one of Barry's papers on rationality, one of his primary philosophical interests. I will miss him.
Don Krotee
Thanks to everyone here and particularly Ted, Craig, Geoff and Bill, who's anicdotes and summeries are greatly appreciated. Rest well Barry. You are among the gratest of deserving souls.
Bill Marimow
The following memories are compliments of Rob Klugman, who asked me to post this on his behalf: "I have very clear and indelible memories of Hoffie. They tend to skew toward high school and college since I've spent little time in Philly since going off to college. I remember a quiet guy (kind of like Mr. Ed). Hoffie was a wonderful basketball player and the heart of our Slippery Rock intramural basketball team. We went 50-1 our senior year, playing in several school and local leagues. We beat the faculty team, who were not well pleased. Our offense was simple. Fast break or -- if we couldn't do that -- set up single and double screens for Barry. He had an unerring shot. Hoff, I hope you can get a game wherever you are."