Tyler Michael Eckert

Valentine’s Day was especially hard this year without Tyler, whose presence was always felt in any room and in any company. He made sure you knew and felt his love. This year I was reminded through shared memories, pictures and stories of how Tyler did this, not just for me but for my friends and family. You may be lucky enough to know what an incredibly thoughtful (and funny) gift giver he was. I will spend every day feeling so lucky to know his greatest gift, Tyler’s love.

I am very fortunate to have gotten to know Tyler through making a tattoo for him. This story always makes me laugh, and I think he got a laugh out of it too. He stopped in the shop for a consultation for an absolutely enormous entire back tattoo, and most likely due to him being super confident, I assumed he had a lot of tattoos. Several consults later, the day had arrived and it was time to start the tattoo. To my complete surprise, Tyler had a small tattoo on his chest and that was it. This poor guy was looking down the barrel of hours and days of tattooing. Still with a smile on his face, unaware of what hell was coming his way. Every session was an absolute pleasure, and Tyler was a total joy to have in the studio. Someone who would open right up to you, completely honest, and hysterically blunt. I knew early on that he was someone special, when Victoria had called him during the second session, and while I was grilling his back with a shader, he says, “Oh yeah, me and Billy are going to get to know each other real well by the end of this,” and looked back and winked. I really appreciate being able to encounter someone like Tyler, always calling Victoria during breaks just to check in and say hello. The definition of a thoughtful and considerate person. His genuine openness is always going to be what I think about, whether it was a him asking you question that was remarkably personal in the first hour of conversation, or knowing that Tyler asked questions like that because he actually wanted to know. Thanks for everything Tyler, and my heart goes out to Victoria, his family, and his friends.

It’s been 20 days since Tyler’s passing and we have felt his absence everyday. I hope Tyler has made you laugh in this time, the same way he has made me. Not sure if you saw the Eagles play on Sundaybut I couldn’t help but laugh thinking of him reacting to that game. 20 has always been a special number to us. Our first date was December 20th. I met him when I was 20. He probably taught me 20 new things a weekand still made time to complete a 20 item to-do list everyday. We have matching Roman numeral 20 tattoos! He was incredible and there is nothing that makes me happier or more proud than being able to call him my husband.

I hope today and the days after you remember the times Tyler made you laugh, the times he made you think and the times he made you feel loved. These were some of his top skills and favorite things to do.

HappilyEverEckert,

I am truly sorry for the loss of this wonderful young man whom I regrettably never had the pleasure of meeting.

Dear Victoria,
I am so sorry to hear this news, my heart is broken. Your smile when you spoke about Tyler will live in my memorycherish the “magic moments” you shared. Sending hugs and prayers

Sincerest sympathies to all.

Wish we could all live forever and enjoy the company of our family’s and friends. Very sad news and my condolences to all those that Kyle touch their lives.

Dear Connie and The entire Duffy family. My sincere condolences for your loss of your beautiful boy Tyler. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God bless and keep you close.

Dear Connie and Duffy family. I am so sorry for your tremendous loss. My prayers go out to all the members of Tyler's family.

Eckert,

You’re going to be severely missed. So many great memories growing up in the neighborhood bro. Never forget the Dispatch concert we went to in Newark, NJ! Life piles on and the times fell far and few between through the years, but each one of those times lives on through so many of us and I’m grateful to have known you. Much love brother! —Shark