On Saturday, February 6th, members of the Bergenfield Volunteer Fire Department, the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department, Oakland Police Department and many family and friends gathered in Don’s honor and his lifetime of service.

Donald (Don) Alden Hoyt was born Noember15, 1936 to Barbara and Frederick Hoyt of Bergenfield NJ. He is survived by 4 of his siblings, Alice, Norman, Carl and Foster, and predeceased by 8 others, Barbara, Frederick, Bertram, Ralph, Elbert, Beatrice, Kenneth, and James. Don was a US Army veteran serving from 1955 – 1957, after which he became a plumber, proudly joining Plumbers Local Union 24 as a journeyman plumber, a member for over 50 years. Don earned the distinction of also becoming a licensed NJ State Master Plumber.

In 1967, Don began a new chapter of his life as an intensely public servant when he joined the Bergenfield Volunteer Fire Department. He served in Fire Company 2, also serving as a member of Bergenfield Ambulance corps for several years. Don rose through the ranks of the Bergenfield fire department attaining the ranks of Deputy Chief, and eventually Chief of the Department in 1978.

After moving to Oakland NJ in 1979, Don transferred to the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department where he served until retiring his status to Life Member in 2019. During his volunteer career, Don devoting over 50 years in volunteer service to his communities. He received numerous awards during his career including several for being among the top responders, among those turning out for the largest number of alarms day or night.

Don was a faithful member of Ponds Reformed Church where he regularly attended services and served a term on the Consistory. Don, and his wife of 53 years, Sue (Hoehne) were married on May 27, 1967.

He is mourned by his children, Donald Eric and wife Lori, Connie Cheff and husband Michael, Daniel Hoyt and wife Kristen, and grandchildren Alex, James and Jordan Hoyt, Ashley, Megan and Christopher Cheff, and Aiden and Garret Hoyt. He is also the proud uncle of Keith and Paula Hoehne, Frederick and Patricia Hoyt and their children, and many, many others.

Oakland Chaplain Russ Stammer presided over a ceremony honoring Don’s life and career as a dutiful public servant. At the conclusion of the service, and as the fire tones were sounded by Oakland’s dispatch station, a call went out to Don one last time:

The first call range out - “The Oakland Fire Department is calling Donald Alden Hoyt”
Then a second call - “The Oakland Fire Department is calling Donald Alden Hoyt”

Then a third call - “The Oakland Fire Department is calling Donald Alden Hoyt. Donald Alden Hoyt is no longer able to answer the call. May he rest in God’s peace.”

With that final call unable to be answered by Don, we celebrated a man and saluted a life of selfless service by a man who often thought of others before himself.

All were comforted by the knowledge that Don will be watching over us from his home with the Lord, overseeing his brothers in arms, and presiding over many games of corn hole in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to The Oakland Fire Department, 25 Yawpo Ave, Oakland, NJ 07436, would be appreciated.