It is with great sadness that the Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department announces the death of Life Member David S. Hoff.

Brother Hoff died January 8, 2016 at Future Care-Cherrywood in Reisterstown, following a brief illness.

Dave was born on November 12, 1941, in Sykesville. He joined the Sykesville Volunteer Fire Department on January 7, 1964, and served for 52 years as a firefighter, driver, Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief and as a member of the Board of Directors.

Dave was a retired Sergeant for the Howard County Department Of Fire and Rescue Services. He joined HCDFRS on January 1, 1969, and retired after 23 years of service on January 31, 1992.

Dave was also a previous member of the Gamber & Community Fire Department in Gamber, MD.

A public viewing will be held Sunday, January 10, 2016 at the Haight Funeral Home and Chapel, Sykesville Road, Sykesville, MD, from 2:00-4:00 PM, and 6:00-8:00 PM. A fire department memorial service will be held at 7:30 PM.

Services will be held at the funeral home on Monday, January 11, 2016 at 10:00 AM, Deacon Charles Barnhart officiating. Burial will follow at Lake View Memorial Park in Eldersburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department, PO Box 275, Sykesville, MD 21784, or the Howard County Retired Firefighters Association, PO Box 233, Woodstock, MD 21163.

Please join us in offering thoughts and prayers of comfort to all of Dave's family and friends. He will be sorely missed around the firehouse.

Rest easy, Brother. We'll take it from here.