PFFA FLASH AUCTION!
Click Here »Starts on July 1st and Ends July 9th.
In Loving Memory,
Thomas Stephen Hoffmaster, 86, of Marysville, traveled to the heavenly trout streams on September 5, 2023. Born in Harrisburg on June 5, 1937, he was the son of the late Thomas E. Hoffmaster and Marie Scellato Hoffmaster Smith; and preceded in death by his brother Timothy Hoffmaster (Donna), stepfather Raymond A. Smith, dear friend Peggy Morrison and his beloved dog Parker.
He is survived by his daughters Chris Augustine (Michael) and Lori Castle (Henry), son Steven T. Hoffmaster (Beth), grandsons Bryan Augustine and Jeffrey Augustine, granddaughter Nicole Hoffmaster (partner Austin), niece Holly Hoffmaster Bitner (Thomas), Aunt Etta ‘Billie’ Light, his dear friend Sherry Groff, ex-wife and friend Jan Adams (John), brother-in-law and friend Ernie Pace (Reba) and his beloved dog Winston. Tom is also survived by numerous cousins.
Tom was a man of many talents and interests. He was a master songbird carver, created silver and gemstone jewelry, made knives and was a wood craftsman, just to name a few. He was also an avid Penn State fan.
Tom was a retired PA Real Estate Broker and Certified Real Estate Appraiser. He was a former member of the Marysville Lions Club and founder of the Rye Township Lions Club. During his involvement with Lions International, he received the prestigious Melvin Jones Award.
Tom was a recognized and accomplished Fly Fisherman. His love of fishing and fly fishing spanned eight decades. He owned and operated a fishing and bait shop (The Fly Shop) on N Main Street by the Susquehanna River then expanded to the square in Marysville. He introduced packaged live bait in a refrigerated vending machine with 24-hour access to live bait. He opened The Fly Tier’s Bench, a wholesaler of flies and single pattern fly tying kits.
Tom is a past executive director of the PA Fly Fishing Museum Association (PFFMA). He was instrumental in securing a facility to house world famous PA Fly fishermen artifacts. A team upgraded the space prior to the initial museum’s grand opening on the grounds of Allenberry. The PFFMA relocated to a larger facility in Carlisle and allows for easier public access.
Tom’s love of fly fishing inspired him to be the founder of another organization, the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Association (PFFA), which dedicates itself to education and opportunities for the youth as well as preservation and conservation. The PFFA offers a program for the Boy Scouts to earn a Fly Fishing Merit badge and the PFFA recently entered into a partnership with the Wildlife Leadership Academy (WLA) to create Youth Fly Fishing Educational Training for high school and college youth to experience fly fishing techniques, stream awareness and habitat conservation. He was excited about this coming to fruition.
Tom received awards from both the PA Fish Commission and the PA Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs for his promotion of Fly Fishing and instructing the youth. He also received the prestigious honor from the Fly Fisherman’s Club of Harrisburg, receiving the ‘Order of the Hat’ award that is displayed in the PFFMA.
Tom hosted large fly fishing shows in Carlisle with many vendors. The PFFA and PFFMA have had a presence in many fly fishing shows in PA and NJ. He organized several fly fishing trips to Slate Run in Pine Creek with his fly fishing friends. The camaraderie experienced on these trips was incredibly special to him.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the many healthcare professionals that provided care for Tom during his illness. We would also like to acknowledge the PFFA and PFFMA members for contributing to Tom’s vision and your invaluable friendships.
The family has entrusted care to Michael J Shalonis Funeral Home in Marysville. A private burial will take place at the Chestnut Grove Cemetery at the family’s convenience.
The mission of the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Association is to
inform, educate and advocate fly fishing in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Association is a 501 (C)3 non profit Pennsylvania corporation. The PFFA was organized to bring
more individuals into fly fishing, targeting our youth, families and beginners that feel they want to experience the pleasures of fly fishing.
We feel by working and partnering with other non profits, that by enhancing their opportunities, and by working together, we may accomplish our
mutual goals more efficiently. Trout Unlimited, Project Healing Waters, Fly Fisher’s International, Fly Fishing and Conservation Camps, the
Scout Fly Fishing Merit Badge Program, The USA Youth Fly Fishing Team, Casting For Recovery, are just a few of non profits we try to assist.
The PFFA assists these organizations with added volunteers, donations of prizes and monies, fly tying materials and tools, space and
opportunities to present their organization at PFFA events at no charge that they may promote their many programs.
Please visit our friends at The PA Wilds and click on the image below to read
Nick Lyter’s most recent blog which discusses the origin of the
Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Association.
