Ayton Harold Moffat

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ayton Harold Moffat on August 2, 2026, at the age of 79.

Ayton was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. He was born on November 13, 1946, and raised in Merritt, British Columbia, where he learned the newspaper trade by editing the local newspaper, The Merrittonian, which was owned and operated by the Moffat family.

He later moved to Toronto, where he put those skills to use and met Linda Dianne Hall. The two married and, after several years in Toronto, Ayton and Linda returned to Merritt to start their family.

Throughout his life, Ayton was deeply involved in the Merritt community. He worked in mill supply while devoting countless hours to the Merritt Golf and Country Club, the Merritt Curling Club, and the Royal Canadian Legion. Ayton was a long-time member and past President of the Merritt Curling Club. He was incredibly proud to represent British Columbia twice on the national stage, ultimately winning the 1996 National Championship at the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Curling Championship alongside his teammates. He was also an accomplished golfer, serving as President of the Merritt Golf and Country Club and earning the title of Club Champion. In later years, he discovered a passion for pickleball and generously volunteered his accounting services to the club.

Ayton loved to travel, whether organizing golf trips to Spokane, Washington, with family and friends, or taking his family on adventures throughout the United States. Family vacations included stays at their timeshare in Ramona, along with visits to Disneyland, Disney World, Universal Studios, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Gatorland, and many other destinations. Whether he was coaching hockey, sharing his passion for golf, or organizing family trips to theme parks to share his love of roller coasters, he poured his heart into supporting his family in everything they did.

Ayton is lovingly remembered by his wife, Linda; his brother, David (Sandra); his son, Ayton (Diana); his son, Aaron (Melissa); and his cherished grandchildren, Brock and Payton, children of Ayton, and Jackson and Emilia, children of Aaron and Melissa.

He was predeceased by his father, David Reginald; his mother, Gladys; his brothers, Willy, Eugene, and Gary; and his grandson, Mason.