Robert Joseph Hoy

Robert Joseph Hoy
Retired apparel executive found second career caring for AIDS babies. Robert Bob Hoy, 73, known for his commitment to Made in America fashions, died Thursday. The cause of death was heart failure associated with diabetes and cancer, his family said. Bob enjoyed a successful career as the Chairman of Creighton Shirt Makers, Inc., and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lord Jeff Knitting Company. Mr. Hoy retired in 1995 and dedicated the final seven years of his life to his family and to the children of Incarnation Children's Center (ICC). In addition to his daily volunteer responsibilities at ICC, Mr. Hoy also served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of ICC. Bob is remembered most at ICC for the quality time he spent with the children, reading, praying, talking, and playing. In addition, his acknowledgement, embrace, and respect for the daily caregivers remains an indelible memory for all those associated with ICC. For most of his adult life, he has been a dedicated and passionate philanthropist. He spearheaded fundraising drives to build three Catholic high schools and the Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales. In the 1960s, while living in eastern Pennsylvania, Bob focused his free time recruiting high school football athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend accredited universities. In the 1970s, Bob and his then wife, Sis Tuholski, were actively involved in caring for single mothers rejected by their families. Mr. Hoy had a soft spot for children in need and his love knew no boundaries. In 1996, he funded the construction of a day care center in an impoverished Brazilian village. The center is operated by Father Martin Keveny of the diocese of Miracema do Tocantins, Brazil. He dedicated this center in the memory of his children that died as infants, Thomas, Michael, and Mary. Mr. Hoy was a lifelong believer in the Democratic Party and in the democratic process, a founder of the Clinton Library, and close friend of the former Speaker, Thomas P. O'Neill. During Bob's career he was awarded numerous industry citations including the Humanitarian Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He was also awarded an honorary degree from Philadelphia University where he served as President of the Board of Trustees. Bob was a regular guest lecturer on entrepreneurship at The Wharton School of Business Administration at the University of Pennsylvania and the Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College. Mr. Hoy attended Boston College. He spent a lot of time in the Triple Cities area and had many close friends and family. He will truly be missed by all who knew him. Mr. Hoy is survived by children, daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Michael Sherwood, Vestal; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Sharon Hoy, Buffalo Grove, Ill., Joseph Hoy, Englewood, Fla., and Robert and Paula Hoy, New York, N.Y. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Chisolm, Beverly, Mass., Elizabeth Butterworth, Beverly, Mass., Dorothy LeDuc, Beverly, Mass., Constance Holak, Beverly, Mass.; and a brother, Edward Hoy, Charlottesville, Va. Mr. Hoy's brother, Thomas, predeceased him in 2000. He has eight grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and is additionally survived by his close friend, Mary Lou Blalock. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2002, at the Church of St. Francis Xavier, located at 46 West 16th Street in Manhattan. The burial is scheduled to take place at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Salem, Mass., on Friday, October 18, at 11:00 a.m. His family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2002, at Redden's Funeral Home, located at 325 West 14th Street in Manhattan. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy in Robert Hoy's name can choose one of two charities, Porquia Sao Sebasto, C.P. 94, 77760-000, Colinas do Tocantins, Brazil or Incarnation Children's Center, 142 Audubon Ave., New York, New York 10032.