Joseph Hoffman, first deputy police commissioner in New York City Mayor Ed Koch’s administration, died on Feb. 18 at 94.
The East Williston resident served in all ranks of the New York Police Department from patrolman to deputy chief during his 29-year career. Koch was mayor from 1978 through 1989.
After Hoffman’s police career, Koch asked him to serve as president of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corp., which operates the public hospitals and clinics in New York City as a public benefit corporation. Hoffman’s family said in a statement that the career change would see him rise to senior executive positions with St. Vincent’s Medical Center of New York, W.R. Grace & Co. and Bay State Health Care in Massachusetts.
In addition, Hoffman wrote two novels, “The Last Mayor” in 2005 and “Acts and Omissions” in 2002.
Hoffman earned an MPA from John Jay College and MBA from Columbia University. He was an adjunct professor at Adelphi University.
Hoffman is survived by two sons, two daughters-in-law, four grandchildren and his wife, Kitty.
Visitation for Hoffman was on Monday, Feb. 21, at Weigand Brothers Funeral Home in Williston Park. Funeral services were held that Tuesday at St. Aidan’s Church and entombment followed at Washington Memorial Park.
Efforts to reach the family were unavailing.
