Funeral Services Set for Wading River Man Struck By Car

Funeral services begin Monday for a Wading River man who died after being hit by a car Thursday night.

Wading River resident John W. Hyte, 52, died after being struck by a vehicle driven by Riverhead resident Anthony Simonetti, Jr., 71, police said. According to Riverhead police, a call came in at 5:51 p.m. Thursday night about an accident that took place in Wading River at Route 25A near Little Leaf Court. A 2002 Subaru driven by Simonetti Jr. was traveling eastbound on Route 25A when he struck Hyte, a pedestrian who was in the eastbound lane, police said.

Services will begin Monday at the Alexander-Tuthill Funeral Home in Wading River. Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Tuesday at 10:30 at the Alexander Tuthill Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Calverton National Cemetery.

Her voice filled with tears, Hyte's sister Patricia mourned his loss. "My brother had the biggest heart," she said. "He had a very generous nature. He would do anything for anyone."

Hyte, she said, enjoyed fishing and woodworking, especially creating Adirondack chairs and custom bird houses modeled after people's homes. 

Hyte, Patricia said, loved spending time with his family, including his nieces and nephews.

"He had such a generous heart. He loved spoiling his nieces and nephews on shopping trips," she said.

Tragedy is no stranger to the Hyte family, Patricia said; years ago, she lost a sister and her father died soon after.

Hyte, she said, grew up in Shoreham and most recently resided in Wading River. A 1978 graduate of Shoreham Wading River High School, Hyte served in the United States Air Force.

He later worked as an electrical apprentice and had his own handyman business.

His loss, Patricia said, is difficult to accept. "It still hasn't sunk in yet," she said, her voice breaking. "I don't know what we're going to do."

On Friday, Hyte's sister Carol remembered his humor. "My brother was great," said Hyte's sister Carol. "He was a practical joker, and he had a great sense of humor. He always had a smile on his face -- and if he saw that anyone was down, he'd try to put a smile on their face, too."

Remembering Hyte, his sister said, "He had to be the most giving person. He'd give you the shirt off his back. If you ever needed help, he would be right there for you."

Unmarried, Hyte lived a few doors down the street from Carol with their mother Phyllis, Carol said. Hyte also left behind a third sister, Debbie.

On the night he died, Hyte was crossing the street to "come back home" when he was struck, Carol said, her voice heavy with tears. "This is so hard."

Hyte sustained serious injuries and was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment, at which time he was pronounced dead.

Police said no arrests were made.

The investigation is ongoing. Police ask that any witnesses to the accident call the Riverhead Town Police Department detective division, 631-727-4500 ext. 326.