Broke barriers for wheelchair athletes as one-half of Team Hoyt
Published March 25, 2021
HOLLAND, Mass. – Richard E. “Dick” Hoyt Sr., 80, of Holland, Mass., and formerly of North Reading, died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Born in Winchester, Mass., on June 1, 1940, he was the son of the late Alfred G. Hoyt Sr. and Anna M. (Jaworski) Hoyt. He was raised and attended school in North Reading with his nine brothers and sisters, and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1959.
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 the 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 over 45 consecutive days in 1992. Father and son were the first push-assist team inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame in January 2020.
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 the mother of his three sons, Judith (Leighton) Hoyt. He was the dear brother of Phillip Hoyt, Herbie Hoyt, Jason Hoyt, Arlene Lumb-Garlington, Alice Sweeney, Barbara Enos, Ruth Ross and Kathy Cartwright, and the late Alfred G. Hoyt Jr.
He was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren: Cassie, Jayme, Cam, Ryan and Troy as well as the great-grandfather of Parker. Dick is also survived by many nieces and nephews and his longtime companion, Kathy Boyer of Holland.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to The Hoyt Foundation at: www.teamhoyt.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit: www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
