John Eckrich

Woodbury — John Eckrich, 86, died Thursday, March 23, 2017 at his home in Heritage Village of natural causes.

Born in Hungary on February 3, 1931, Mr. Eckrich emigrated to the United States following the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 and became a naturalized citizen in 1963. He wholeheartedly embraced becoming an American and was very proud of his early accomplishments. He was a tailor by trade and quickly became a business owner designing and manufacturing leather coats and accessories. He owned factories in both New York City and Waterbury CT, as well as retail locations in Heritage Village and Cheshire CT. Although his success in the fashion industry slowly came to an end by the mid seventies, he carried the pride of having lived the American dream throughout his life.

Mr. Eckrich had a sincere passion for animals. He especially loved his dogs and was an avid collector of fancy pigeon breeds. Over the years, he enjoyed racing his homing pigeons, raised large-breed rabbits, and enjoyed watching his chickens graze while he took care of his garden. In his later years, the variety of animals decreased, but his love of nature never changed. He enjoyed the past 50 years as a resident of Woodbury and often referred to his home as “a heaven”. 

Mr. Eckrich was also very interested opera, politics and world affairs. He was endearingly candid and frank, and enjoyed sharing his opinions with those that knew him.

Although Mr. Eckrich never had children of his own, he leaves behind his adoptive family including Richard Gumpert, his godson, and, Ibolya Eckrich, his sister in Hungary.

Munson Lovetere Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. 

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