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Longtime Morgan horse breeder and photographer, Harold "Hal" Hoover, 75, of Patton, Pennsylvania, passed away July 26, 2016.

Hal was born September 8, 1940 in Spangler the son of Harold A. and Carolyn Aldine "Dean" (Rhody) Hoover. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law Louie (Honey) Chervenak and brother-in-law Dan Ceccoli.

He is survived by his wife Dolores Mae (Sabella) Hoover whom he married November 7, 1964; daughter Dana Hoover and grandson Harrison R. Hoover; son Michael (T. Renee) Hoover, and granddaughters Elizabeth, Kathryn, and Mary Grace Hoover; uncle and godfather Richard "Dick" (Grace) Rhody; sister and brothers-in-law Tootsie Sabella, Chubby Ceccoli, Theresa and John Golias; niece Angela (Ceccoli) and husband Mark Corte; nephew Brian (Jennifer) Golias; great niece and nephew Lauren and Andrew Golias.

Hal was a 1958 graduate of Patton High School and a graduate of Altoona School of Commerce. He was the former owner of Hoover Gas and Oil in Northern Cambria which was started by his father in 1933. He retired in 2006. Hal was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Patton and the American Morgan Horse Association. Hal always said that having grandkids was the best thing that ever happened to him. He loved spending time with his grandson Harrison and his granddaughters. He loved going to everyone of Harrison's football games and wrestling matches and going to his granddaughters' sporting and cheering events. Hal was a natural conversationalist who loved going out to eat with family and friends. He was the number one promoter and fan of his son's band "PT Cruisers." 

Hal raised registered Morgan Horses for more than 50 years and had 86 baby foals born and registered with the name HRH, having horses in 38 states and Canada. He was well known for his photography. He enjoyed taking photos of people and Morgan horses. Hal's photography has appeared on the covers and inside The Morgan Horse magazine. He has also had articles written about him in The Morgan Horse magazine. He is and will always be a true Morgan horse historian and a great contributor to the Morgan horse bloodline and history.

He will be truly missed by his wife, daughter, son, grandson, granddaughters and will also be missed and remembered by the Morgan Horse community. "We will all miss his witty, dry sense of humor and seeing his smile. He was always generous and so much fun sitting around the table with having a good pizza and Pepsi. We will miss you, Dad."

Friends will be received from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Sunday, July 31 and Monday August 1 at Stevens Funeral Home, Inc. in Patton, Pennsylvania, where a vigil for the deceased will be held. Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 2 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Patton by Benedictine Fathers. Committal St. Mary's Cemetery in Patton. Online condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

-- via AMHA