Richard E. “Dick” Hoyt, Sr. – 80, of Holland, MA and formerly of North Reading, MA, died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Born in Winchester, MA on June 1, 1940, he was the son of the late Alfred G., Sr. and Anna M. (Jaworski) Hoyt. He was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School.
Dick served for 35 years in the Air National Guard and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
He was one half of Team Hoyt. Dick was well known for his many marathons, he raced with his son Rick, pushing him in his wheelchair in over 1,100 races. Dick and Rick were the first duo to complete the Boston Marathon, which they completed an amazing 32 times. They were also the first duo to complete the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii in 1988. Dick and Rick biked and ran across America covering 3,735 miles 45 consecutive days in 1992.
Family members include his loving sons, Rick Hoyt of Leicester, Rob Hoyt and his wife Zaida of Holyoke and Russ Hoyt and his wife Lisa of Billerica. He was predeceased by his former wife and mother of his three sons, Judith (Leighton) Hoyt; brothers, Phillip Hoyt, Herbie Hoyt and Jason Hoyt, he was predeceased by his brother Alfred G. Hoyt, Jr. ; sisters, Arlene Lumb- Garlington, Alice Sweeney, Barbara Enos, Ruth Ross and Kathy Cartwright; grandchildren, Cassie, Jayme, Cam, Ryan and Troy; great grandson, Parker. Also survived by many nieces and nephews and his long time companion Kathy Boyer of Holland.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, services will be held private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: The Hoyt Foundation at: http://wwhttp://www.teamhoyt.com/The-Hoyt-Foundation.htmlw.teamhoyt.com/The-Hoyt-Foundation.html
Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com
The Bennett family would like to extend their deepest condolences to an extraordinary human being. A father’s love can “BE UNLIMITED.”
DICK, YOU, more than anyone I know or have heard of, deserve to RIP!
A special man with a mission that will be carried on by all of us. Inclusion, love, and perseverance. Yes you can.
A very special man.
Dick, you have left your tremendous imprint throughout the world. For that , we are truly blessed & grateful.
My condolences to all of the Hoyt family on your loss. Dick was a true inspiration to me and all across the world. I was so fortunate to have met Dick and Rick back in the early 1980’s. We became long time good friends. I will miss him very much. Sorry for your loss loss Rick, Kathy and all your family. Rest In Peace my friend. May God bless.
I have also lit a candle at the University chapel God Bless
Donation sent xxx
You Sir, inspired so many even from across the pond. I fact all around the world. Go enjoy your next adventure. Gone but never forgotten!
May each of us follow your lead by pushing ourselves to be our strongest and best selves. More importantly, may we empower and celebrate our children, and each other, by recognizing the beautiful and unique gifts each person has to offer our world.
RIP Dick, and thank you, Rick, for inspiring and leading a movement, and to your whole family for sharing your journey with a world in need of heroes. We are sorry for your loss and grateful for his legacy.
Rest in peace, Mr. Hoyt, I saw you at a MonaVie convention when I was in high school and I never forgot your story. Thank you for your example, your strength and joy. Sending love and comfort to the Hoyt family. ❤️
The Rudolph family would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Hoyt family.
Thoughts and prayers
The Kneeland family from Oxford would like to send our sincere and heartfelt condolences. We met Dick on several occasions along with his wonderful son on some of there runs…He made such a wonderful impression on everyone and is going to be missed by so so many..His legacy will live on for years to come..
The Capsouto-Little Family of Las Vegas, NV send our condolences to your family! Dick and Rick have changed our families quality of life due to their perseverance, belief, and Yes You Can mantra! Dick will live in our hearts forever! ❤️
Will miss you so so much Dick. Thank you for the memories. I will run with you in my heart forever. ❤
Thank you for your inspiration to become a more patient parent and runner! Your legacy of will live in the hearts of the running community forever, I can’t wait to see what your legacy holds for our community…God Bless your family.
My sincere sympathy to the Hoyt Family.
I was just a kid of 14, in 1980 when I first began running in Montreal, Canada. Over the years, I would read about Dick and Rick competing at many races, marathons, and IronMan’s over the years, and would be inspired.
Had the great fortune of meeting them both at a bucket-list race, Falmouth in 2018 and 2019.
A severe loss to our sport, even bigger loss to the world…Roll In Peace, Dick!
Sincerely,
Gary Ruch
Ottawa, Canada
Condolences to the Hoyt family. In rememberence to a special person. R.I.P
Ruth Downs White
Alice
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family with the passing of Dick. He was an incredible person loved by all.
With Sympathy and Love
Lois and Steve Garneau
To the entire Hoyt Family -My respect and sympathy go out to your family. It is so hard to lose a sibling, even harder when you have to share with the world. To you he was your brother that you grew up with in a family that you all were well respected in North Reading with great family values. Your brother Dick showed the world what family, humility and good values represent.
Through his beautiful sons and his siblings the Hoyt legacy will continue to represent the best of what a large family raised in a small town can do to show the world all that is good when parents show the love to their family , friends and community and the world on the life they live. Thank you Dick for sharing your life, strength and love of family to all of us teaching us that by giving of yourself you have helped change the world for the better.
Love to all your family.
Rita Mullin
Condolences to the Hoyts.Rest in Peace Dick,the Bakas family.
You were the beacon of love and hope for so many, including me. I never knew you and Rick , but we shared racing events in RI and Mass. Whenever I saw you two, I knew you ran for a different kind of glory. Rest easy.
My Sincere Condolences To The Family God Bless You All During This Difficult Time
I have been very down lately and having trouble coping with life. In the past when I needed a shot of realness and how good people do exist I would always watch the episode of real sports with Dick and Rick Hoyt. Today was the point that I hit where I just don’t want to be around anymore. I’m constantly wanting more from life and even my successes leave me feeling like I need more and it takes soooo long to get there. I watched the episode and hit the part where dick is hearing about the letter he got from the woman who was considering suicide and he saved her life after she watched his video and it struck me harder than it ever has in the past. Probably because I have never been in such a bad place mentally and for no specific reason. It motivated me and also made me think I need to reach out to Dick to tell him how motivating he and Rick are. For years he has been my go to when I need to have faith in people, life and how it can be better. So I look up his contact info and find team hoyt and I read the line towards the bottom left and it said Dick passed away from a heart issue. I immediately lost it. I am not a crier, never have been. My last memory of crying was when my dog died around 12 years ago. I don’t take any satisfaction in that and sometimes wonder if there is something wrong with me for not being able to cry when the situations would dictate it. I had a good few minutes of tears and just saying no over and over because I have watched this video for years and I always thought how amazing these guys are. I never had the inclination to reach out to them but today I felt it necessary because of how he helped the lady who was suicidal and Im currently not in a good place mentally. The main point was to tell them how much they motivate me and even in this moment of deep depression he made me rethink and wonder how he keeps it together and always so positive. The last hour has been a roller coaster of emotion for me but if anyone reads this for Rick or he gets the chance to read it I’d like you to know how amazing your father is. My regret is that I couldn’t reach out to you both sooner and let Dick know how inspirational and motivational he is. Even at my lowest hearing him talk about the love for his son and how the noises he makes during the marathons/triathlons are the best, brought me to tears and a sort of happiness. To anyone that knew him in any way I’m sorry for your loss and thank you for the motivation to keep going Dick. I wish I would have sent this a couple weeks or even years ago. Rest in peace sir.
My sincerest sympathy to Rick, Robb and Russ for the loss of your Dad; what a wonderful full life he had, from playing football in NR High School to running marathons; I am blessed to have known he and your Mom. Also to the Hoyt family I am sorry for your sudden loss, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time, distant hugs, Joann Creilson Andrews