Joseph E. Eck

After a long period of declining health related to Parkinson's Disease, Joseph Edward Eck died on March 7, 2022 at the age of 82.

Joe was born on December 6, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York to parents Otto and Pauline Eck.  Not long after his birth, the family moved to West Hempstead where he spent his childhood years.  He met Edith Williams in 1956 and they married in 1960.  Joe graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from St. John's University in 1961.  He started his professional career in New York City at the George B. Buck actuarial firm and worked at various other accounting firms before joining King Kullen Grocery Company, where he would spend the next 43 years.

1968 was a busy year with the birth of his son John, starting a permanent position at King Kullen and moving to their new home in Stony Brook.  After settling into life in the suburbs, Joe joined the Stony Brook Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter.  With his son Thomas' birth in 1974, Joe's personal and professional responsibilities continued to grow.  He was an active leader at the Long Island YMCA and was even recognized as their “Man of the Year”. He also supported the Boy Scouts of America as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 70 for many years while his sons were involved in the program. 

When he retired in 2011, he had risen through the executive ranks to become a Vice-President at King Kullen, elected treasurer for both the Stony Brook and Mount Sinai Fire Departments and founded the Stony Brook Fire Department Benevolent Association.  After retirement, Joe and Edie moved to Houston and traveled extensively, visiting all seven continents and one final international trip to Cuba in 2019.

Those that knew Joe best saw first-hand how strongly he believed "if it is worth doing, it's worth doing to excess". This applied to virtually everything in his life as a faithful husband, devoted father, and humble leader.  He provided those around him with opportunities and experiences that they would never have had otherwise. 

Although he leaves behind a lifetime of wonderful memories for all, he will be missed most by the family that survives him including: his wife Edie; his brother John; his sister Elizabeth (Betsy); his son John and wife Amy; his son Thomas and wife Karen; and his seven grandchildren Emily, Tom, Drew, Patrick, Andrew, Sara, and Jackson.  He is also survived by many loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends that will likewise miss him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Stony Brook Fire Department Benevolent Association or the Little Flower Orphanage of New York.