Hoyt F. Adsit, Sr., 89, of Sherburne passed away Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013 in the Bassett Hospital of Cooperstown.
Hoyt was born in North Norwich on April 4, 1924 the son of Leland and Marjorie Lucas Adsit. He grew up in the No. Norwich and Sherburne area and was a 1942 graduate of the Sherburne High School. During his high school years, Hoyt played basketball, was a member of the school band where he played the sousaphone and football where he was a member of the 1940 undefeated team. In Jan. of 1942, Hoyt entered the United States Army. He served his country in the Army Air Corps during WWII until his honorable discharge in Oct. of 1945 where he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. On his 15th mission, on D Day, he was shot down over Romania and was a POW for 92 days. He was the proud recipient of the Purple Heart. Hoyt was very proud of his military service. Over the past few years he shared his military experience with many adults and children.
Hoyt started farming on his grandparents 20-cow, 80-acre farm, which, along with his brother Rodger, grew into a 600 acre farm which they operated for over 40 plus years retiring in 1990. Along with the farm, they also operated Adsits Maple Syrup. Not quite ready to give up farming, Hoyt began selling for Pioneer Seed. His other jobs included delivering flowers for Pires Flower Basket and the manager of Park House Apts. in Norwich. His most recent job was manager of Handsome Brook Trailer Court in Sherburne.
Always interested and active in the political arena, Hoyt had served on the Sherburne School Board of Education, as Assessor for the Town of Sherburne and as Town of North Norwich Justice.
Hoyt had a quick wit and a friendly personality. He was always ready and willing to tell entertaining stories and was a very kind and generous man to family and friends. He created a bucket list of places to travel which included meeting former President George Bush Sr. and a visit to Romania to meet and visit with the Princess of Romania and see his POW camp. His most recent adventures were traveling to Boston, MA and Iceland in 2013. He enjoyed weekly meals with his friends of the Norwich Widow and Widowers as well as Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County.
Hoyt is survived by his children: Robert (Jennifer) Adsit of Sherburne, Louise (Karl) Breckan of Palantine, Ill, Hoyt Frederick Adsit Jr., of Norwich and David Adsit of Sherburne, step-son Richard Adsit, his sister Janette Nigolian of Sherburne and sister-in-law Diane (Thomas) Gordon. Also surviving are grandchildren, great grandchildren nieces, nephews and friends.
Hoyt was predeceased by his first wife Clara Knapp Adsit who passed away in 1973, his second wife Nancy Carson Adsit who passed away in 2011, his brother Rodger Adsit and sister Eileen Tremper.
A funeral service for Hoyt will be held on Wed., Nov. 6, at 11 a.m. from the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Stephen Reese, Pastor of the Columbus Community Church will officiate. Interment with full military rites will follow in the Sherburne West Hill Cemetery.
Friends may call at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 7-9 pm and again on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11.
Please consider memorial contributions to St. Malachy’s Food Pantry, C/O St. Malachy’s Roman Catholic Church, Sherburne, NY 13460.