Cliff Hoyt

HOYT, Clifford Edmund "Cliff" — December 9, 1935 - February 5, 2013. It is with great sadness that we announce our loss. Cliff died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Born in Truro, he was the oldest son of the late Leonard and Effie Hoyt. Cliff is survived by his loving wife Norma; daughter, Suzanne (Peter Budreski); sons, Randall (Tammy), Leonard (Judy), Michael (Heather) and John (Paula); brother, Barry (Gail) and sister, Margaret (Tom) Harper; grandchildren, Carolyn Budreski (Jonathan Chartrand), Amanda (Daniel) Durling, Justin (Brandy), Joel (Cyndi), Jordan, Jana, Scott, Daniel, Kristin, Sean, Chelsea, Sarah, Thomas and Luke and great-grandchildren, Brayden, Malcolm, Tyler, Zoey and Jackson. Cliff was predeceased by his son, Stephen. Cliff grew up in Halifax. He attended Queen Elizabeth High School then Dalhousie University while working in the family moving and storage business. He married his high school sweetheart, Norma, started a family, then became the young Owner and President of Hoyt's Moving and Storage after the death of his father. Cliff was an honourable, well-respected businessman. Many deals were closed with a conversation and a handshake. He purchased numerous moving companies in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. He was also a landlord; owned rental companies; a snowplough business and became involved in retail. Cliff's involvement in the moving industry included the role of a director of the Canadian Warehouseman's' Association; a director, as well as president of United Van Lines (Canada); then an advisory role with United Van Lines as a Past President. He was honoured in 2003 by the Canadian Association of Movers with its Founders Award. Strongly influenced by summer visits to his grandparents' farm, Cliff and Norma purchased a large farm in Lawrencetown. After a barn fire, Cliff became one of the founders and a volunteer member of the Lawrencetown Fire Department. Cliff coached his sons' hockey teams, donated hockey jerseys and served as president of the Rockingham Minor Hockey Association. He cheered at football games, diving competitions and track meets. He taught his young brother, children, and many of their friends how to water ski, and he learned to downhill ski and sail with his wife and children. Cliff and Norma brought their family with them on many southern, and ski vacations, as well as memorable road trips in "Emmy" the motor home. Cliff and Norma were members of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron. Their love of sailing also took them to the Punta Gorda Isles on a sailing trip that resulted in the purchase of a home in Florida. Family members enjoyed many visits in the winters and springtime. Cliff enjoyed spending time with his large family and his dogs. He had a great interest in genealogy; he always read and liked to write. He was a wonderful cook and he enjoyed music, and dancing with Norma. He constantly tinkered around his home and was a "master" plumber, carpenter, electrician and Kubota driver. He was interested in the world around him, and frequently shared his opinions with his friends and family by e-mail. To this day Cliff's family continue to enjoy the hobbies that he enjoyed. Hockey, water skiing, snow skiing, sailing and tinkering were his enduring legacy with those he influenced. Cliff battled cancer for many years with courage and grace. He lived life with a contagious enthusiasm. We will miss him terribly. The family would like to express sincere thanks to neighbour, friend and exceptional doctor, Dr. Barry Clarke for taking such great care of Cliff over the years. We are also grateful to Dr. Sue Robinson, Dr. Bernie MacIntyre, Dr. Drew Bethune, Dr. Wojciech Morzycki and Dr. David Bowes for giving him so much additional time with us. Thank you also to all of the wonderful staff on 5A at the VG Site, QEII; to the Victorian Order of Nurses and to Powers Home Care and their professional, compassionate nursing staff. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 7, in J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Friday, February 8, at 2 p.m. in Edgewood Oxford United Church, 3055 Connaught Ave., Halifax, Rev. Dr. Rob Fennell officiating. Reception to follow in the church hall. Interment for family to follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Lower Sackville. In lieu of flowers, donations in Clifford's memory may be made to Canadian Cancer Society.