By Jessica Novak
When local legend and monster guitar talent, Mark Hoffmann went into critical condition during a simple medical procedure last Wednesday, Sept. 14, it was a shock. Hoffmann had been out on the Hoffmann Farm in Fabius the day prior rounding up cattle before the unexpected emergency. Now, a week following the scare, with family surrounding him and a guitar in the corner of his room at Upstate Hospital, Hoffmann’s condition seems to be improving.
“We are so incredibly grateful of all of the support, prayers and good wishes,” says Jo Anne Bakeman, Hoffmann’s companion, who has been at his side along with his three children, Anna, Eva and Gustav, and ex-wife Nancy Larraine Hoffmann, a former state senator. “It is so important to all of us. It’s been unbelievable.”
Though Hoffmann was on life support and completely unresponsive only days ago, as of Saturday, he showed movement when he seemed to be strumming with his hand, in true guitar virtuoso fashion, and turned a major corner Tuesday, Sept. 20, that the family hopes will be permanent.
“The outpouring of support and how well-thought of he is in every avenue of his life is overwhelming,” says Bakeman. She also noted good friend and fellow musician Ron DeRollo’s explanation of Hoffmann’s sudden improvement as her favorite, “He said, ‘You know what happened? Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan were so rooting for Mark, but not for the competition. They’ve got 40 more years. Then Jimi and Stevie are gonna have some competition up there in heaven.’” For more information, visit the Facebook pages (www.facebook.com) of Jo Anne Bakeman, Mark Hoffmann or Hoffmann Farm.
