George DuBois Eckert

George DuBois Eckert NEW PALTZ- George DuBois Eckert, also known as Pete Eckert, age 72, passed away on Sept. 3, 2012. The son of the late George and Gertrude (Alsdorf) Eckert, he was born on Jan. 13, 1940 in Cornwall. A lifetime area resident, he grew up in Wallkill, where he acquired the nickname of 'Pete'. A 1958 graduate of Wallkill High School, Pete was a track standout. He won the MVP at the Montgomery Relays in 1957, and held track records that stood for decades. He married Barbara HasBrouck in 1961 at the New Paltz United Methodist Church. They lived in New Paltz and raised three sons. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year. A proud member of Teamsters Local #445, he spent many years as a truck driver, retiring for health reasons from Red Star Express in Newburgh, in 1987. In addition to his loving wife, Barbara, who will be forever grateful for the life they shared together, he is survived by three sons, Glenn Eckert and his wife Kirsten, of New Paltz, Scott Eckert of Highland, and Greg Eckert and his wife Laura, of New Paltz; seven grandchildren, Brynn, Corey, Danielle, Derek, Forrest, Kyle and Vanessa. Survivors also include a sister-in-law, Lydia Eckert, of Wallkill; and mother-in-law, Isabelle HasBrouck, of New Paltz; many nieces and nephews, including a very special nephew, Jeff DeGraff. He was predeceased by his brother, Norman Eckert; and his sister, Jane Eckert DeGraff. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and spent many hours participating in those activities with his nephew Jeff DeGraff. While Pete's love of hunting drew him often to his favorite hunting grounds in Sundown, where he spent many a deer season among friends in 'Dymond City', it was Yankee Lake in Sullivan County where he pursued the bass. His friend and taxidermist, Jay Coddington, can attest to Pete's skill and enthusiasm for both sports. Pete also enjoyed imparting his knowledge of the outdoors to his grandchildren and great-nephew and namesake Petie DeGraff. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at 3 p.m. at Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, with the Rev. Bette Sohm, Pastor, New Paltz United Methodist Church, officiating. Friends and relatives may call from 1 to 3 p.m., prior to the service. Cremation will follow at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. Inurnment will be made at New Paltz Rural Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, N.Y., 13220-3049, or Alzheimer's Association, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 103, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., 12601-4060. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.