Served in National Guard; retired electrical technician who loved the Florida sunshine
FOUNTAIN, Florida — Phillip John Hoyt, 84, of Fountain, Florida, formerly of North Reading, passed away Friday, August 25, 2023 at his home.
Phil was born on December 31,1938 in Wilmington Hospital, Wilmington to Alfred and Anna Hoyt. He was the fifth child of 10 and grew up in North Reading. Phil worked on a chicken farm while attending Essex Agricultural School and would ride his bicycle up and down the hills in the cold just to get to school. He earned the nickname ‘Jake the farmer’ from his brother-in-law, Paul Sweeney. He dropped out of school but went back and graduated in 1959, the same year as his brother, Richard. He met his first wife during his tour of duty in the National Guard. They raised their three children in Newton before their divorce.
He worked as an Electrical Technician at BLH Electronics for several years before he was laid off. He bought a house in Readville before moving to Blountstown, Florida to get out of the cold and snow, which is where he met his wife, Patricia. Other than his parents, Phil is predeceased by his sisters: Arline Lumb Garlington, Barbara Enos, and Cathy Cartwright; his brothers: Alfred Hoyt Jr. and Richard (Dick) Hoyt; and his son Michael Hoyt.
Phil is survived by his wife of 35 years, Patricia; his daughters from his first marriage: Marie Hoyt-Pariury (Bob) of Norwood; Laura Henderson (Roger) of Marlborough; and his son Jay Hoyt (Mary) of Hingham; his three stepchildren: Andy Bailey, Gay Richards and Randy Brantley of Florida; one grandson, four step granddaughters and seven step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Alice Sweeney of Maine; Ruth Ross of Massachusetts; Herbert Hoyt of Massachusetts; and Jason Hoyt of New Hampshire; and his one special Aunt Gladys Jaworski of New Hampshire.
There will be a private memorial service at his home in Florida with a private burial at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading. Visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com. Online condolences may be made at Adamsfh.com or by calling 850-674-5449.
