Frederick John Hoyt
1948 - 2017
Frederick John Hoyt
Service Information
Service Date
Wednesday January 25, 2017
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Fred Hoyt died after only one day in Hospice, on Friday, January 20th, at age 68.  He was every man’s man, game slayer, God-loving Christian and outlaw.  Fred cracked his last inappropriate joke (that which cannot be printed here) only a few days before he passed. Anyone else fighting stage 4 esophageal/stomach cancer that had metastasized to his bones would have gone quietly into the night, but Fred fought it to the end.

The way he died is just like he lived: he wrote his own rules, he challenged authority, he worked tirelessly, and he paved his own way. And if you said he couldn’t do it, he would make sure he could. Fred’s favorite saying was that, "If God didn’t make it, and man made it, then man can fix it".

Most people thought he was funny and outrageous in the things he said to people.  If you were in Fred’s vicinity, you were treated to his amazing sense of humour and always guaranteed a laugh before he took his leave.  People thought he was crazy for the things he collected, for his antics like donning the long, red wig and posing for Facebook pictures for Elaine to share with family and friends to name just a few.

Many gawked at his start of a career in business without a business or financial background – but instead, with scads of high intelligence and "MacGyver"-like natural abilities, a contagious smile, love for the spoken word, untold interest in meeting new people and solving their problems, his irreverent sense of humor, and his stunning blue eyes, but like the "Fire cracker" he was nicknamed as a little boy) he went off and succeeded beyond even what he imagined he could...his only regret, that time ran out to accomplish all the other projects that he wanted to complete.

He was the type of man that people would cross the continent at the drop of a dime to come see and has friends around the world who telephone regularly to get their much-loved dose of Fred at his finest.   He lived 1000 years in the 68 calendar years we had with him because he embraced life; he grabbed it by the shoulders, kissed it or wrestled it down, and carried on.  At the age of 21, he started an auto body repair shop with Bill; in his thirties, he joined his brother in a partnership and Hoyts Septic Services Ltd. was born.  He went out on his own with the company in 1995 and grew the company in a few short years into a hugely successful operation.  In 2000, Argus Petroleum was started, a very busy tank decommissioning and oily water disposal facility. He didn’t slow down and at age 66, took possession of the former Princess Park Provincial Park (now Grand Lake Park-NB) and began renovations and rebuilding infrastructure to put this popular campground back into operation. 

Fred left behind a hell of a lot of stuff for his wife and daughter, who have no idea what to do with most of it. So if you’re looking for anything from (as my mother would say) "a lady’s fart to a clap of thunder, and thousands of tools and things that we aren’t even sure what they’re used for, we’re your go-to place. You should wait the appropriate amount of time and get in touch.  Tomorrow would be fine.  No, just joking.

Throughout Fred’s life, he was an accomplished hunter; you should have heard him call a moose – (taught by my Dad) or play the bagpipes (guaranteed to put Elaine into fits of laughter).  Fred was a self-taught mechanic, auto-body painter, septic system expert and for most of his life, an ardent and dedicated birth control device tester (with only one failure, (that we know of) namely, Amy Lane, 39.

Fred was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important – the simplicity of not going to bed hungry, worshiping God and living a life with those you love.

Although he threw a few great parties; (we learned not to let him near the barbeque), he, was in fact, what made the party so much fun, (he made wicked eggnog at Christmas- keep the kids away from it).  But parties and bars were never really his thing (thank goodness) and he would trade it all for an evening spent at his or friend’s homes, or hanging out around a campfire with family and friends. His acute awareness of the importance of a life lived with the ones you love over any material possession was only ever handicapped by his territorial attachment to his personal, and private junk yard and his carefully guarded collections of "everything". Anyone have a use for an antique (code for well-used) prosthetic arm, come see me.

Fred enjoyed a well-made fire in his "smudge pot", a great cook-out in the middle of the woods, a mean game of dominoes, spending time with old and new family and friends, his relationship with God, and sharing laughter wherever he went.  Strangers to Fred were just friends he hadn’t met yet and he had a heart as big as the world – anytime Elaine would ask about bringing a new kid into the house to live with them, Fred would quickly and quietly agree, knowing full well the challenges the kids might present, saying, "Yeah, bring them; everyone needs to have some place to live."

His regrets were few, getting cancer, being most notable.  He regrets he couldn’t stay to finish his campground project, and see the finished product.  He regrets he couldn’t stay to meet the grandchildren (better get busy Ame) and most of all he regrets he couldn’t have another 40 more years with Elaine.

Of all the people he impacted in his life, his # 1, life-long fan was his wife Elaine Hoyt (Spinney) who gloried in every moment spent with him, both during his heyday, and during their last days together.

And oh, yes, Tim Horton’s and company will be devastated by the loss of Fred patronage. 

Resting at Bishop’s Funeral Home 540 Woodstock Road on Monday January 23, 2017 and Tuesday January 24, 2017 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 PM. Funeral service will be held at Cornerstone Church, 350 Richibucto Road on Wednesday January 25, 2017 at 1:00 PM. with Pastor Vangie Inman officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Fredericton Hospice Association will be greatly appreciated.

 Fred’s last wishes were for a "funny obituary, one that would truly reflect his oft times, irreverent but always wonderful sense of humour and be true to the life he lived and loved.

Fred, I hope I did you proud. www.bishopsfuneralhome.com

Frederick John Hoyt