Gordon C. Eckler

ECKLER, Gordon C. Gordon C. Eckler, 70, of New Britain, died Wednesday (March 9, 2005) at Hospice of Martin and St. Lucie in Stuart, FL after a courageous 5-year battle with a rare bone marrow disorder. He was a devoted husband to Joyce (Anderson) Eckler for 41 years and is survived by four children, Gordon C. Eckler, Jr. of Newington, Charlotte F. Eckler of Grafton, MA, Thomas A. Eckler of New Britain, Marina O. Eckler of Colorado Springs, CO; four grandchildren; brothers, Roy E. Eckler of Enola PA, Richard K. Eckler of Sandy Hook; and sister, Janice E. Kelly of Southington. Born in Bridgeport, son of the late Gordon and Alma (Myers) Eckler, he was raised in Manchester. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Forestry and had a lifelong love of the outdoors, carrying his woodsman's manual throughout his life. A runner in the Thanksgiving Day Race, Manchester and a champion swimmer in college, he remained an avid sports fan, particularly for the UConn Huskies and Boston Red Sox. He was a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army, serving in Germany. He cultivated an interest in the German language and culture. Lately he enjoyed the fellowship of the Donau Club in New Britain. He was a communicant of St. Peter Catholic Church. His profession led him to California where he worked as a Tax Assessor for Orange County for 20 years, later returning to the East where he worked as a Land Agent for Portland Natural Gas. A funeral will be held at St. Peter Church, New Britain at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Aycock Funeral Home, Stuart, FL.