In 1920, Isaac Hoffman, house painter, was a roomer with Max & Esther Zimmerman in Syracuse. He had come to the U.S. alone in 1913, leaving his family behind [census]. He tried to bring them to the U.S. in 1914, but WW I made it impossible. His son died, and his wife disappeared in his absence. He may have been naturalized 25 Jun 1918 through his military service [Footnote].

Izzie was a soldier in the U.S. Army in France in WW I. During that time, he contacted social service agencies through army chaplains to locate his daughter, Helen. When he returned to Syracuse after the war, he continued his occupation as a painting contractor. Beginning in 1920, he was a part owner of United Decorating Company with Max Gabriel, his future brother-in-law, and 2 other partners [news]. Izzie located Helen and paid for her passage to Syracuse in 1923. In 1925, he petitioned the court for a divorce under the “Enoch Arden Law” due to his wife’s desertion and possible death [news]. He married Fannie-Fanny Gabriel in Albany 31 Oct 1926 [NYS M Index]. They did not have children together.

In the 1950s, Isaac was the “official designer and painter” of the “Silver Whistle,” Syracuse Schools’ Education Department center for seniors at Croton School on East Raynor Avenue, a workshop and learn-to-earn center for retired people. It was named for a popular play of the era about a young intruder who put new life into a home for elderly folks [news].

Izzie was a member of the Jewish War Veterans Onondaga Post 131, the American Legion Post 41, and the Workmen’s Circle Branch 19 [obit].95