Donald Hoyt, 77, of Ocala passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family after losing his battle with a rare form of skin cancer, Merkel Cell Carcinoma. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, with burial in New Hampshire at a later date. For further information please contact a family member. Donald Ralph Hoyt was born on July 4, 1947, to Howard "Ed" and Virginia (Lockwood) Hoyt in Haverhill, MA. Donald spent his youth on the east coast, graduating from Newmarket High School in Newmarket, NH. Following his graduation, he joined the United States Air Force where he proudly served his country from 1966-1970. After leaving the Air Force he met his first wife Mary Lou (DeLaBruere) Hoyt, and they were married in 1975. In 1981, their only child Raegan was born. They later moved from Florida to Dallas, TX and then to Cumming, GA and were active in the Catholic church in both states. The couple was happily married until Mary Lou's death on January 15, 1998. In 2002 he met Patricia Miller, and they were married in 2003. Donald worked as an electrical engineer for many decades. After he retired in 2009, he and Patricia moved to Ocala where he lived until his death. Donald held many interests in life including collecting lighthouses, completing Sudoku and jigsaw puzzles, reading Westerns, playing games, and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed spending time with his two grandsons Jack and James and with his many honorary grandchildren. He was affectionately known as Poppy, and he will be remembered for his love of children and his generosity to anyone in need. Donald is survived by his wife Patricia Hoyt; daughter Raegan (Jon) Flynn, grandchildren Jack and James; his siblings Gary (Deb) Hoyt, Karen (David) Barrett, and Judy (Jay) Dumont; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father and mother Howard "Ed" and Virginia Hoyt, his first wife Mary Lou (DeLaBruere) Hoyt, his sister and brother-in law Janice (Hoyt) and Cliff Pickard, his niece Jodie Barrett and many extended family members. We are creating a digital frame with pictures with Donald. This frame will be displayed at his celebration of life. If you have pictures that include Donald, please share them by emailing them to memoriesdprj@ourskylight.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to the Merkel Cell Carcinoma Fund at give.uwmedicine.org in order for more research and education to be done into this rare disease. Once you are on the website, click the yellow Make a Gift tab. Then scroll down to the search bar and type in "Merkle Cell Carcinoma research innovation fund". Then follow prompts to give in memory of Donald Hoyt.