Obituary of Eugene Eckert
Eugene Allen Eckert, also affectionately known as Gene, Geno, or Piney, embarked on his final sales trip to the stars on February 6, 2024, at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, love, and a well-landscaped yard that could rival any botanical garden.
Born in Bayonne, NJ on March 27, 1944, to Allen and Agnes Eckert, Gene was destined to experience the world well beyond the familiar arch of the Bayonne Bridge . His career in sales saw him globe-trotting from Cleveland to Germany and everywhere in between, representing companies such as Bosch, Staubli, and ABB, before he channeled his passion and expertise into his own venture, Pack Flow Concepts.
Gene's approach to life was much like his approach to sales: always be closing... in on the joys of life. Known for greeting callers with a cheery "Yello" and often reminding his loved ones, "Good luck, we're all counting on you," a line borrowed from on of his favorite movies, "Airplane!" Gene's humor was as infectious as his enthusiasm for life.
He took immense pride in his family, his work, and his home in Denville, where he lived for 23 years, watching his sons Colin and Grant grow up. The home, a testament to Gene's tireless work ethic, saw endless updates, repairs, and a landscaping effort that made neighbors wonder if he had a green thumb or an entire green hand.
Gene's deck parties were the stuff of legend, where Jimmy Buffet tunes floated through the air, mingling with laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the kind of stories that make you laugh so hard your ribs hurt. Golf balls feared him, as did any Formula 1 driver not living up to his exacting standards..
He leaves behind a loving family: his two sons Colin and Grant, daughters-in-law Nicole and Laura, and five beautiful grandchildren Madelyn, Evan, Austin, Olivia, and Preston. He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Lenore, brother Gary, and his parents, Allen and Agnes, who surely greeted him with open arms and perhaps a warning not to start any new home projects yet.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you take a moment to enjoy a Jimmy Buffet song, share a laugh with a loved one, or simply say "Yello" instead of "hello" the next time you answer the phone. If you would like to make a charitable contribution in Gene’s memory, please consider donating to the 11th Hour Rescue via inmemof.org.
A celebration of Gene's life will be held Monday February 19, 2024 from 10-1 at Norman Dean Home for Services with a prayer service to be held at 12:15 PM.
Goodbye, Dad. Good luck—we're all counting on you.
