David J. Eckert Sr.

Dave was born on July 24, 1937 in New York, NY to the late William and Jeanne (McPate) Eckert. Dave spent his early childhood and adolescent years living on 123rd Street on the upper west side of Harlem.

He had many fond memories of playing stickball in the street with all the neighborhood boys (he even went back as an adult for an annual stickball reunion). During his summers, he would go to his aunt and uncle’s farm in Deerfield, New Hampshire where he would help milk the cows and feed the animals.

Although Dave had German and Scottish blood running through his veins, he took on the characteristics of a true Italian, and everyone he met thought he was just that. He took much pride as an “adopted Italian,” as well as his actual born heritage.

He had a sense of humor like no other and was capable of bringing out laughter all around him. He was always being told, “You missed your calling; with a personality like that you should’ve been on television.”

Dave was a United States veteran. In 1955, at the age of 18, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Army. One evening in 1959, shortly after being honorably discharged, Dave ventured out into Brooklyn to the St. Fortunata’s church dance, where he met his future bride, Jean Camelo. They fell in love rather quickly, but before getting married Dave returned to military, joining the U.S. Army reserves. He was stationed at Fort Drum, NY, where he became part of the Military Police. In the early 1960’s, after leaving the military reserves, Dave’s friend asked him to enter into hairdressing school with him. Dave graduated and officially became a hairdresser, working on Long Island. He gave his then girlfriend, Jean, and all the women around town bouffants, which was the latest trend. As he contemplated opening up his own salon, Dave was approached with an opportunity to become a Local 282 Teamster union member. As much as Dave enjoyed being a hairdresser, he wanted more security for his future. In 1965, he made a conscious decision to join the Teamster’s Transit Mix Company and worked for nearly 30 years throughout New York City as a construction truck driver, followed by 10 years as a Teamster foreman.

In 1966, Dave and Jean became husband and wife. They went on to be blessed as parents, having six children - two sons and four daughters. In 1980, Dave and Jean purchased a home in Suffern, NY, where they raised their children.

After retiring in 2000, Dave was able to spend more time doing the things that made him happiest. He began playing golf on a regular basis (a sport he had excelled at over his lifetime), taking walks, watching sports (all time Mets fan), caring for his lawn with meticulous precision, reading the New York Post, while getting in his crossword puzzles, playing the NY Lottery (he was given the nickname, “Mush”), whistling along as he avidly cooked dinner, going out to eat to find the best spots with the best scungilli and calamari fra diavolo (hotter the better), listening to cousin Brucie on the radio, boxing, attending live Doo-Wop shows, and most of all, spending time with family and friends.

Shortly before Dave’s passing, he was surrounded by many family members, celebrating Jean’s 80th birthday.

The evening before Dave passed away he said, “Jeannie hold my hand.” He then closed his eyes and went to sleep, folding his hands in prayer. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

He is survived by his beloved wife of over 55 years, Jean Camelo Eckert; his loving children, David J. Eckert, Jr. and his wife, Laureen; Patricia Meunier and her husband, Daniel; Jean Marie Weiss and her husband, Erik; Stefanie Gaudelli and her husband, Robert; Lisa Eckert; and Steven Eckert and his wife, Ewa. Dave is also survived by his adoring grandchildren, Peter, Leanne, Michael, Lia, Nico, Brooke, Brandon, Jadyn, Nicholas, Harris, P.J., Tyson, Evanka, and his great granddaughter Lucy Jean.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 3, 2022 from 3–7 p.m. at the Wanamaker and Carlough funeral home, 177 Route 59, Suffern, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Monday, April 4th at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern, NY. Burial will follow at Ascension Cemetery in Airmont, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name should be made to: St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital at www.stjude.org