James Christian Eckert

ECKERT - James Christian, age 72, of Mattituck, NY, on October 18th, 2009. He is survived by his wife Linda of 37 years, his sister Lynn Eckert Kugle, children Jennifer (Richard), David (Christina), Jeffrey (Carol) Eckert, grandfather of Andrew Cantella, Ian, Maggie and Sophie Eckert, Sydney and Emma Eckert, beloved brother-in-law and uncle. Jim was born in Columbia, PA, October 3, 1937 to James and Charlotte Eckert. He graduated Columbia High School in 1955, he attended Penn State University as a member of the ROTC and graduated in 1959. He went on to serve his country from 1960 - 1965 in the United States Air Force and achieved the rank of Captain. He had a storied career with Grumman for 35 years. During his years with Grumman, he earned a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic and an MBA from Adelphi University. Jim and Linda built their dream home together in Mattituck, LI on the water's edge. As a dedicated membe of the North Fork community, he served on the Conservation Advisory Committee of Southold. His love of the French Horn led him to join various community bands, including The Greenport Band, Sag Harbor Community Band and the Riverhead Monday Night Band. You could often find Jim under the stars, enjoying the company of his bandmates and playing the instrument he loved. Jim and Linda provided a warm and loving home for friends and family and their door was always open to welcome them. Visitation will be held Wednesday at the Coster-Heppner Funeral Home, 32470 Main Road, Cutchogue from 2:00pm-4:00pm and 7:00pm-9:00pm. A celebration of life will be held Thursday from 10:30 to 12 noon, where family and friends may share their special memories, followed by a private cremation. The family asks that donations, in lieu of flowers, be made to the Riverhead Monday Night Band Scholarship Fund, 300 Pulaski St., Riverhead, NY 11901 or Northfork Animal Welfar League, Box 297, Southold, NY 11971.