Fr. William Eckert
1927 - 2013
LENOX Reverend William F. Eckert, 85, died peacefully on Friday, January 18, 2013, surrounded by his loving family at Providence Care in Lenox, MA.
Father Eckert was born in Jersey City, NJ on March 12, 1927. He was the son of William Eckert and Mary (McDermott) Eckert. He graduated Wood-Ridge High School in Wood-Ridge, NJ. Following graduation, he entered the Navy to serve his country during World War II. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, Father Eckert entered Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. He graduated in 1950, and started a career at Traveler's Insurance Company.
Realizing he had a religious vocation, Father Eckert studied three years at the Maryknoll Seminaries and three years at Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Albany, NY. He was ordained a priest into the Diocese of Camden, NJ on May 16, 1964. The following year, Father Eckert was granted permission to labor in the Brazilian Missions. He was pastor of Cure d' Ares parish in the capitol city of Brasilia. One of his first tasks was building a church for his parishioners. While building the church and speaking with the laborers, he was told that there was no school for their children. After the church was complete, Father Eckert proceeded to build a school.
After serving eight years in Brazil, Father Eckert returned to the United States and was assigned to the Diocese of Camden. Father Eckert was Chaplain at Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, NJ as well as several other NJ parishes over the years. Father Eckert was also National Chaplain for the Christian Family Movement.
Father Eckert was an avid reader and author. For many years, he wrote a weekly newspaper column for the Catholic Star Herald. In 1976 he wrote "The Passion of Jesus Christ: A Meditation," which was a version of the passion play told through the eyes of Judas. This play was performed for several years during Lent at St. Isadore's Church in Vineland, NJ. Father Eckert also wrote books on Meditation and in 1997 founded the Joseph House, a center for prayer and Christian meditation. Originally located in Ocean City, NJ, the Joseph House was moved to Vineland in 2004. Father Eckert retired from the Diocese of Camden in July 1994. He moved to Massachusetts to be near his family where he served at St. Mark Church in Pittsfield. Father Eckert was fluent in both Portuguese and Spanish and would often say Mass for the Brazilian parishioners in Pittsfield.
Father Eckert is survived by a sister, Patricia E. Kerr of Pittsfield, and a brother, Barry Eckert and his wife Jeanne of Guilderland, NY. He is also survived by three nieces, Irene Coviello and her husband, John, Patricia A. O'Brien and Diane Mora. He is survived by six nephews, Joseph Gagen and his wife Vera, Leonard Light and his wife Diane, Christopher Light and his wife Gail, William Light and his wife Donna, David Gagen and James Kerr and his wife Tammie as well as many great and great- great nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by three sisters, Irene Arata, Mildred Gagen and Rosemary Light. He was also predeceased by a nephew, William Gagen.
Father Eckert loved movies, books and the New York Giants. He had a great sense of humor as well as great human compassion. The lives he touched cannot be measured. He will always be in hearts of those who knew him.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 25, 2013 at 11:00 AM at St. Mark Church, 400 West Street, Pittsfield, MA concelebrated by the Most Reverend Timothy A. McDonnell, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield. Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Pittsfield. Fr. Eckert will repose at St Mark Church on Thursday from 4 to 7 PM. A Vigil Service will follow at 7:00 PM.
The omission of flowers is requested and donations in memory of Father Eckert may be made to the charity of one's choice in care of the DERY FUNERAL Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 which has been entrusted with arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Just read his contribution to " Prayer and the priest" Christian Meditation and Priestly Life .What a beautiful memory he gave of his understanding of what prayer is.
Thanks for Fr William.
Peter Collins
Friend
December 1, 2016
THE KUMMER FAMILY WAS GREATLY INSPIRED BY FR. ECKERT. HE WAS A DEAR FRIEND TO MY MOTHER LILLIAN AND HIS PICTURE REMAINS IN A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR FAMILY HOME. MY MOTHER WILL BE THRILLED TO SEE HIM IN HEAVEN. LOVE AND GOD'S BLESSINGS TO HIS ENTIRE FAMILY.
February 3, 2013
I first met Fr. Eckert when my dad passed and then later yrs he was there for my mom when she was sick and passed away. He was maybe coming to Palm Beach after that and I was hoping to see him again, but never did. He was a wonderful man and will be missed.
J Messina
January 27, 2013
Fr. Eckert was an inspiration to my mother who studied under his tutelage ( Mary Jane Gonia DOD 03.24.2012 ) he was a wonderful supportive mentor. Blessings to his family and friends. May our walk make them proud.
Jayne Bannish
January 25, 2013
Fr. Bill was such a blessing to our extended family! He was always very easy to talk to, even after many years of not seeing each other, and he had great gift of humor and laughter that I will always remember. I am sure our Lord is happy to welcome Fr. Bill home, and I'm equally sure there's more laughter in heaven today with Fr. Bill there. Love to all.
Joe Gagen, Jr.
January 24, 2013
Just want to thank God for Father Eckert coming to St.Mark .Very very nice man and excellent priest.I will miss his sermons that always touched my heart.God rest your soul!
Bill Puia
January 23, 2013
Father Eckert married my husband and I in 1998 in Sacred Heart Church (due to a scheduling conflict, he stepped in at the last minute). He was such a joy and a wonderful man, and he made our ceremony so special - even though he had just met us! With sympathy to Father Eckert's family.
Nan Jurgelewicz
January 23, 2013
So sorry to hear about your uncle Irene. He surely will be missed. Our prayers go out to you and your family. Sorry we can't be there. Kathy & Larry Casella
January 23, 2013
To the family of Fr. Bill, I really got to know the Padre on a trip to Nicaragua to help rebuild after Hurricane Mitch. During that trip, he introduced me to meditation. It was his kind, non-judgemental ways that fostered a strong friendship between us. May you Rest in Peace, Padre.
Helen Schillaci
January 23, 2013
always was there for our patients in the er.i will miss you father.god bless you and rest in peace.
joseph amuso
January 23, 2013
It was not until a few years ago that I had the pleasure of meeting Fr. Eckert when he was at St. Marks. Right away I knew we had been blessed with a very spiritual man.
Daniel Hamilton
January 23, 2013
To Father Eckert's Family,
I had not know Fr. until he was a resident at Providence Care in Lenox.He was always cheerful and loved to visit with the other residents there.I always enjoyed talking with him.I will remember him for his kind ways.Father sat with my mother the night before she died.Hearing that he was praying with her that night put me at ease and I know she was grateful to him ,too.Truly a great loss for us but a rejoicing time for his family in heaven.His "Circle of Life" has been complete.He has been returned to his Heavenly Father.Rest in peace.
Marie Gormalley
January 22, 2013
Fr. Eckert was our priest in the 1970's at St. Isadore's Church in Vineland. I cannot begin to put into words the impact he had on our family and our life. I was a young child then...Fr. Eckert was instrumental in helping me develop my faith and my relationship with God. I am so thankful for his willingness to answer the call to the priesthood, and for all the ways he blessed my life. May God abundantly bless him for his years and years of selfless service.
Chrissy Doherty
January 22, 2013
Fr. William Eckert's Family,
Camden & Springfield have lost one of the most wonderful Priests who ever answered the "Call" to the Priesthood. It was a privilege & joy to have known & worked with Fr. Bill. He was a true example of the "Good Shepherd" on earth.
I am unable to attend his wake or Funeral Mass, but I will offer & celebrate a Mass for him & in Thanksgiving for having known him. He was a great example for me as a priest, and I shall never forget him. Sincerely & Prayerfully, Fr. Dan Brunton
Fr. Daniel B. Brunton
January 22, 2013
A truly wonderful man has left this Earth. I was glad to read his passing was peaceful as he was such a blessing to my family during my mom's illness and death. Thank you once more Fr. Eckert.
Susan Dapson
January 22, 2013
"I said a prayer for you today."
Maureen and Dennis DeVergilio
Sacred Heart Church
January 22, 2013
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