John H. Achilich died at his home in Baiting Hollow on February 9. He was 94.
Mr. Achilich was born in Riverdale in 1919 and attended Pratt Institute, earning a degree in engineering. He was employed at the Naval Training Devices Center in Port Washington and Grumman Aerospace Corporation in Bethpage. He held the patent on several engineering designs, including the original aluminum Grumman canoe.
Mr. Achilich and his wife, Catherine, who predeceased him in 1992, lived in Bethpage, where they raised their two sons. He was an Eagle Scout and their second home in Baiting Hollow was adjacent to the Baiting Hollow Boy Scout Camp; Mr. Achilich was very active with the Scouts.
He is survived by two sons, Ken and wife Mary of Hampton Bays; and Steve and wife Jan of Baiting Hollow; and three grandsons, Jason, Pearson and Drew.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Reginald J. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead.