Peter Alyoious Eckert of Bridgeville, formerly of Austin, Pa., passed away peacefully, Sunday, April 28, 2024, at home. He was born on July 7, 1937, in Saint Marys, son of the late Ferdinand “Fred” and Sara (Wolfe) Eckert. He married the former Marjorie A. Huling on July 11, 1959, at the Austin United Methodist Church. They celebrated 59 years of marriage until her passing on May 31, 2019.
Peter worked in construction on the family farm, Stone Quarry and Coal Mine, Saint Marys, Allegany Mnt. Const., Conn-E Const., and several Const. Co. in PA and DE. Pete also owned and operated Eckert’s Tavern and Eckert’s Exxon and Towing, Austin, and Eckert Bros. Tools Hardware and Surplus in Laurel. Earlier in life, Pete worked for his parents at Little Fella Fish Hatchery, Odin, the Rainbow Paradise, Coudersport, Greeleys Garage, Austin, The Austin Boro, and the PA Housing Authority. Peter was known as a “Jack of all Trades.” There wasn’t a tool made that he didn’t know what it was for and how to use it. If he didn’t know he would make it up.
Peter enjoyed his morning coffee for years at Myers Country Store in Bridgeville, where he and his friends would discuss and solve the world’s problems. In younger years, Peter was an avid snowmobiler, and enjoyed camping and traveling. After retirement in 1998, Pete and Marge traveled up and down the east coast, across the country to Las Vegas, and several trips to Texas. They enjoyed visits with family and friends all over.
Peter is survived by a son, James P. (Jan) Eckert of Bridgeville; a daughter, Marla K. Eckert of Bridgeville; grandchildren: Lacey M. Eckert, Kelsey M. Eckert, Ricky L. (Samatha) Vickers Jr., and Riley T. Vickers; brothers: Arthur (Bonnie) Eckert of Austin; Ronald (Melissa) Eckert of Bastrop, TX; Patrick (Angie) Eckert of Ridgeway; Michael Eckert of Saegertown: sisters, Virginia Murphy of Sinking Springs; Victoria (Les) Akre of Prosser, WA; and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are welcome to pay their respects from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at Gods Country Global Methodist Church, 26 Turner Street, Austin, Pa. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. with Rev. Todd Lamer officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. A luncheon/reception will be held after the interment at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Peter’s memory to the Austin Vol. Fire Dept., P.O. Box 328, Austin, PA 16720, or St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101 or stjude.org.
Peter’s arrangements are in the care of the Thomas E. Fickinger Funeral Home, 210 N. East St., Coudersport. To share a memory or condolence visit www.thomasfickinger.com.