Matt Hoyt Memorial Fund

Matt Hoyt, beloved husband, friend, brother, son, uncle, brother-in-law, son-in-law, nephew, cousin to dozens, friend to too many to name, restaurateur, filmmaker, voice-over actor, artist, musician, comedian, raconteur, and all-around merry-maker, died Saturday, August 14, 2021, after a brief battle with a rare and aggressive cancer.

Dubbed “Hurricane Hoyt” by friends, Matt managed to live multiple lifetimes in the short time he had. Matt founded and ran one of San Diego’s most beloved bar and bistros, Starlite; helped friends and business partners acquire and build out businesses and homes around San Diego; created performance art, improv acts, short films and music videos; worked to develop a new payment app for the restaurant industry; and played an informal, and deeply vital role of connecting the artistic and creative community in San Diego.

To know Matt was to love Matt. He, no doubt, supported your cause, business, or project if you ever asked him to – and he likely did it even if you didn’t ask. He mentored other restaurateurs, pushed musicians and comedians and artists to trust in their talent, worked tirelessly for Starlite, and loved his friends and family fiercely. Matt’s life was full of vigor, generosity, kindness, love, and humor, and it ended far, far too soon. In the time he had, he touched the lives of so many of us.

We would like to reciprocate the support and love he gave us over the years by raising at least $40,000 to cover the many unexpected costs that have come with this untimely tragedy.

Your donation will help preserve Matt’s brilliant legacy, keep the memory of Matt Hoyt alive, and support the ones left behind who love him still.

Learn more about Matt and his remarkable impact on San Diego in this beautiful piece by Julia Dixon Evans of KPBS.