Obituary of Clifford A. Eckert

Clifford Andrew “Coke” Eckert, 85 of Lewiston, NY and formerly of Escondido, CA, Williamsville, NY, and St. Mary’s, PA, died peacefully on Monday October 11, 2021 at Elderwood at Wheatfield. He was a beloved husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. Our lives will never be the same, but it brings us peace to know that he is with his God and family members who passed before him, for whom he cared deeply. Mr. Eckert was born on July 11, 1936, in St. Mary’s, Elk County, PA. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Mary Jane Haight-Eckert, his daughter Heidi Anne Eckert-Boruszewski of Walnut Creek, CA and her husband, Kelly, and his grandson Clifton Jeffrey Dunn, of Far Rockaway, NY. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Andrew Eckert and Dorothy Geraldine Bowers- Eckert (formerly of St Mary’s, PA and Williamsville, NY), and two brothers, Allen “Rocky” Eckert and Franklin “Sonny” Eckert. Cliff and Mary Jane were united in marriage on February 15th, 1958 by Rev Fr. Thaddeus Suda, OSB at Queen of the World Roman Catholic Church in St. Mary’s, PA. They renewed their vows on their 25th Anniversary at the Williamsville United Methodist Church in Williamsville, NY, where they lived for over 20 years. They renewed their vows again for their Golden 50th Anniversary at the San Marcos United Methodist Church near Escondido, CA, where they lived for almost 30 years before moving to Lewiston, NY in late 2014. Cliff “Coke” Eckert had an incomparable zest for life and strangers were merely friends he had yet to meet. He was always ready with a friendly smile, a warm greeting, and occasional “tall tales “, which he spun in detail later in his life. He had a passion for cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and the water! In his younger days, he and Mary Jane loved riding their Harley Davidson and spent many a late winter’s night riding their snowmobiles. They also relished their camping adventures, many train trips across the country, and hiking in the Allegheny National Forest. During the almost three decades they lived in Southern California, his grandson taught him to surf, thus sparking an ongoing love for the ocean and all things water related. Spending time in or near the water, especially the ocean, was a favorite pastime, whether it was surfing, swimming, or just watching the fishermen on the Niagara River in Lewiston, NY, where he lived before moving into Elderwood at Wheatfield in June 2021. Clifford proudly served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. Later, he and his father owned and operated an Exxon station on Sheridan drive in Amherst for many years. Cliff then owned Cliff’s Auto Repair before moving to CA in 1987. Always wanting to try something new, he learned to be a kitchen designer for Home Depot, even attaining a degree in Graphic Design from Palomar College. We will always hold dear the lovely artwork he created for us. He also worked for a time at the Lawrence Welk Resort. We are eternally grateful to the caring and compassionate staff at Elderwood at Wheatfield for taking such great care of Dad in his final months. We also want to thank the wonderful people at the First Presbyterian Church in Lewiston for their grace, support, and ongoing friendship. Clifford’s cremains will be interred at the Williamsville United Methodist Church columbarium and spread in the Pacific Ocean. A celebration of life will be planned for a future date.