More than 100 people attended an impromptu memorial service of Cody Hoffman on Tuesday, March 29 in Simi Valley.
Hoffman, a 20-year-old Moorpark College student and Simi Valley resident, was killed in a car crash on Monday, according to a news release by the California Highway Patrol.
The memorial took place on Sojka Drive, which is behind the site of the crash on westbound 118 freeway Sycamore Drive exit. Matt Whitlock, 22, criminal justice major, organized the memorial with a few other people.
“Cody was an amazing person and I’m gonna miss him for the rest of my life,” said Whitlock, who has known Hoffman for more than 10 years.
Anna Feygin, 21, philosophy major, said her last favorite memory of Hoffman was when they took a film class together last year at Moorpark.
“Right before the class, we went to Starbucks,” said Feygin, who knew Hoffman since high school. “We sat in his car with our other friend Zack Small and blasted his favorite rap music. We talked about so many things and we threw Skittles at each other.”
Hoffman is remembered as having a great character both in the classroom and in the community.
Kristina Schaefer, a psychology instructor, taught Hoffman in one of her classes.
“Words cannot express how absolutely devastated I am by this news,” Schaefer posted on Facebook. “I will always remember his smile, fun personality and his positive attitude.”
Lori Stanton, who lives in Simi Valley, said that her son admired Hoffman when he was in the Boy Scouts.
“Cody was a great role model, not only to the Scouts, but to the parents as well,” Stanton posted on Facebook. “I was always impressed watching him run the meetings and teach the boys. This is such a tragedy and he will be missed. I am so very sorry to the Hoffman family and they will be in my prayers.”
A funeral service will be held at St. Peter Claver Church on Friday, April 1, according to the memorial fund webpage. The service will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, visit https://www.youcaring.com/laurie-hoffman-546682
Jessica Frantzides contributed to this story.
Laurie Hoffman • Apr 2, 2016 at 3 -07:00.04.
Thank you for this nice article about my son… It means a lot to us. The quotes from his friend and a former teacher is comforting. His friends are amazing and the memorial will give us somewhere to go and talk to him when needed.