It is with heartfelt sorrow that the family announces the passing of Howard Hoy, beloved husband of Barbara, on April 1st, 2016 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Howard was predeceased by his parents Vernon and Elsa Hoy, Olive (Pat) Hoy and Les Wells, father and mother-in-law Adolph and Helen Svistovski, brother-in-law Robert Rae, and daughter-in-law Debbie Hoy. Howard will be deeply missed by his loving wife Barbara, and by his children and grandchildren, Howie Hoy and sons T.J. and Kyle, Chris and Patricia Hoy and son Corbin, Michael and Sandra Hollender and children Serafina and Alexander, Ryan Hollender and Samantha Morris, Jay and Brenna Burton and sons Cason and Cohen. He will be missed by his brother Garth and his sister-in-law Shelley Hoy, sister-in-law Pamela Rae and nephew Lochlin Rae, and dear friends Keven and Gloria Van Camp. Howard will also be missed by brothers-in-law Mike Svistovski (Colleen), Rick Svistovski (Kathryn), Frank Svistovski, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Born in Brandon on March 25th, 1943, Howard took great pride in being a "South End" boy. His elementary and senior years of education were spent at St. Michael's Academy, McLaren School, George Fitton, Neelin, and Vincent Massey. Attending Brandon University for the one year Teacher Training Program to obtain his teaching certificate, Howard began his 37 year teaching career in 1964. While teaching, Howard continued to pursue further education through night courses and summer school and obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from Brandon University. Over the years, Howard's career took him down several paths. He contributed in many roles in the field of education. From teaching positions in middle years, junior high, high school, physical and special education, to being a Confluent Education consultant, PENT Program faculty advisor at Brandon University and then school trustee, Howard was always a strong believer of diversity and was a steadfast, passionate advocate of the student. He had a way of eliciting success from every child. Howard took such pride in his students' achievements. If asked what were the highlights of his career he would definitely include his Frontier Collegiate's cross country team in Cranberry Portage winning the provincial championship in 1970. A team no one (except Howard) believed had a chance in competing, let alone winning, against the bigger Winnipeg schools. Another highlight that eventually sparked his interest in special education was his concept and development of the Virden Life Skills Centre in 1974, a group home for emotionally and academically challenged students. This must surely have tested his dedication to teaching as the Life Skills Centre was really his personal family home which he shared with his wife Ann and young sons, Howie and Chris. Howard left his footprint in many schools in the Brandon School Division; Green Acres, Valleyview, Betty Gibson, J.R. Reid, Kirkcaldy, and Riverview schools were settings for Howard's Christmas concert productions, artistic backdrops, chess clubs, math clubs, and best of all his booming laughter reverberating off the cinderblock hallways. After retiring from the classroom in 2001, Howard continued to stay active in education. He enjoyed subbing for a few years and was humbled when elected as a school trustee for 2002-2006. He loved visiting schools and talking to principals and teachers about their schools' successes and needs. More recently, Howard's favorite place to visit and talk about education was the Neelin High School Off-Campus classroom. Howard loved the concept of the school and faithfully attended every graduation ceremony, coming home and sharing the memorable moments, always with a tear in his eye and a smile under his moustache! No one can doubt that Howard's professional life had a positive impact on many people. But it is his life as a husband, father, and grandfather that brought him profound joy and fulfillment. His marriage to Barbara in 1996 was filled with much love and laughter. Howard took great pride in his gardening skills and found the perfect partner in Barb who also enjoyed his passion for flowers. They spent many an hour together perfecting flower beds or creating new ones. The backyard never remained static and was always changing. For the years Helen lived with Barb and Howard he even agreed to plant tomatoes for Helen. Of course they had to be artistically displayed amongst the rudbeckia, lilies, and delphiniums, as a regular vegetable garden would just not do. Howard's love of antiques rubbed off on Barb, too. They loved going to auction sales, yard sales, and flea markets always searching for treasures. EBay was a great source for antiques and Howard enjoyed buying and selling a variety of goods from porcelain license plates, old postcards, to Shelley vases. From trips to Graceland, concerts to see Julio Iglesias, Bruce Springsteen, and Il Divo, trips to Mexico, Blue Jays games in Toronto and Minneapolis, and caring for Barb's mother Helen while Barb still worked, his love and devotion was demonstrated each and every day and his goal was always to make Barb happy. He truly was Barb's best friend. As a father Howard earned the undying love and respect of all his children. Howard was so proud of his kids. They were equally loved and his relationship with each was unique: Jimmy Buffet concerts with Howie, building decks and DIY projects with Chris, computer talks and movie reviews with Michael, basketball and baseball games with Ryan, and school projects and teacher mentoring with Brenna. Howard welcomed Barb's children with open arms and loved them as his own. His patience and uncanny ability to listen and his penchant for making lists solved many a problem during those turbulent teenage years. As all the children grew older, Howard lovingly embraced his daughters-in-law and son-in-law Jay who held a special place in Howard's heart. As amazing as Howard was as a father, he wins the award for best Grandpa. Lovingly referred to as Bunka, Howard cherished his grandchildren Cason, Cohen, Serafina, Alexander, and Corbin. He lived for the times he spent with the grandkids, always planning surprises and hands-on activities that will forever be etched in their hearts. Designing a kids' playroom, creating a magical fairy garden, building messy volcanoes, planting flowers and peas and carrots in the garden, putting up tents, constructing a sandbox, putting up a tree swing, splash park adventures, picking strawberries, and of course buying enough books and toys that the grandkids never wanted to go home after spending time at Bunka's. He adored those little ones and they adored him right back. Because he not only gave his love, he gave his attention, he gave of his time. Precious times filled with so much laughter and fun. We, his loving wife, children and grandchildren are blessed to have had Howard in our lives and he will be forever remembered and deeply missed. The service to celebrate Howard's life was held on Friday, April 8th, 2016 at McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church, 635 McDiarmid Drive in Brandon, MB. Arlene Robertson officiated and interment followed at the Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Howard may be made to the Friends of Education Fund, c/o Brandon School Division, 1031-6th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 4K5.

"Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through."