Bernard Percy Hoyt

NORTHFIELD --- Bernard P. Hoyt, 78, of Northfield, NH, passed away at home on March 11, 2025, after several years of declining health. He leaves his wife, Donna Kelley, after 52 years together.

Bernard also leaves his daughter Tina McClay (Jeramy) of New Hampton and three siblings; Roger Hoyt of Campton, Joanne Hoyt of Thornton, David Avery of Lakeland, FL, as well as many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

Bernard was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Christine (Avery) Hoyt of Campton, NH, his son Jonathan Hoyt of Rumney, NH, and his brother Bobby Hoyt of Ashland, NH. He was also predeceased by his feral cat, Bustah, who he convinced to come into the house to eat and spent the next 15 years feeding and caring for him while never knowing when he would be bit.

Bernard was born May 16, 1946, in Plymouth, NH, and grew up in Campton, NH, attending Plymouth High School. He enlisted into the US Army directly from high school and became a paratrooper with the 173rd Airborne. He served for a year in Vietnam during 1966 – 67 and was proud of his service although he did not talk about it often due to the protests occurring when he returned to the United States.

He learned the art of antique picking from his parents and for over 50 years was in his glory buying and selling antiques. Most of the best items were kept so his house was overflowing for much of his life. The rest he would sell to individuals or at the flea markets in the area.

His pride was his flower gardens that he spent many hours every day weeding and fertilizing during the spring and summer. When he drove by someone’s garden that had flowers he did not, he would stop and convince them to trade for something they were missing but he had. For the past several years he slowed down considerably but still spent most of his days outside caring for the flowers. In earlier years, he decorated his gardens and many other gardens with his stone cairn birdbaths. A few pieces of his work are in the gardens at the NH Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.

During the colder months he set up a workshop in the cellar of his home where he made lawn ornaments, birdhouses, signs, and any thing else his imagination created. He used a mixture of wood and metal in his creations and many friends have samples in their homes and yards. He enjoyed creating but was always anxious for warmer weather to get back outside again.

He was an avid hunter for all of his life. He spent many years as a rabbit hunter, raising and training beagles. At one time his kennel consisted of 33 beagles. His passion was deer hunting and only missed the last season due to his health issues. Even with a prosthetic leg he managed to get his buck and called friends in to drag it out.

He is finally at peace and will be greatly missed by Donna and several close friends who he could always depend on.

Burial will be held on May 1, 2025, at 12:00 PM at the New Hampshire State Veteran's Cemetery in Boscawen, NH. A celebration of life will follow at The Merrimack Valley Railroad Hall, 5 Park St. Northfield, from 1:00 until 3:30. Memorial donations in Bernard’s name can be made to ManchesterAnimalShelter.org.

Arrangements are under the care of Mayhew Funeral Homes and Crematorium. To sign the online book of memories, go to mayhewfuneralhomes.com.