Andrew W.Eckey of Sag Harbor Dies

Andrew W. Eckey of Sag Harbor died after a short illness on November 16, 2022. He was 69 and the husband of Patricia A. Eckey.

Born in Rockville Center, he was a son of Mary (Maranville) Eckey and the late Carl Eckey of East Hampton. He was a 1972 graduate of East Hampton High School.

After high school, Eckey worked for Rauschers in Wainscott. He later worked as a mechanic for the Honda dealer in Wainscott. He loved to work on motorcycles. He had two motorcycles, a Honda and a Harley Davidson, that he enjoyed riding in the summer months.

Eckey started working for Albert McCoy Sr. at W.F. McCoy Petroleum Products Inc. and McCoy Bus Company in 1979 as a serviceman and heating equipment cleaner for the fuel company. Later, it was discovered that he had promising mechanical abilities. His role transitioned, and he served as the company’s automotive mechanic for service vans, fuel trucks and school buses — although he was much more than a mechanic. He kept the company’s fleet of over 50 vehicles running (safely) every day. This included, at any one time, 30 school buses, carrying many of the East End’s children to and from school every day. His garage was kept in immaculate condition, and this was a source of great pride for Eckey.

Another source of pride, and very deservedly so, was his New York State Department of Transportation school bus inspection reports. He always scored in the highest percentile, verifying the utmost level of safety and reliability. He could always be counted on to help with any problems that arose throughout the day.

He shared many close relationships with his co-workers, the drivers of the vehicles he kept operational. He very much enjoyed his more than 40 years with the McCoy companies, up until just three weeks before his death.

Eckey cherished the cruise vacations that he and his wife, Pat, took frequently, survivors said. His favorite was their Hawaiian cruise, especially getting to witness the sites of Pearl Harbor.

There were many other vacations throughout the West that he enjoyed as well. His other favorite pastimes included boating and fishing, particularly traveling by boat to Block Island, Newport and Essex Island.

He loved NASCAR racing — he watched the races every Sunday. He also enjoyed restoring antique trucks and cars. He liked spending his weekend time in the garden. He was very proud of his home and yard, and he kept the greenest lawn.

Besides his wife, Patricia, he is survived by brothers Peter Eckey of California and Paul Eckey of New York; stepdaughter Michelle Dutcher and son-in-law Keith Dutcher; stepson Thomas Everett and daughter-in-law Julie Everett; grandson Jackson Everett; granddaughters Danielle Bennett of East Hampton and Kerri Bertrand of San Diego; and great-granddaughters Samantha Bennett and Isabella Bennett of East Hampton and Summer Rose and Meadow Mae Bertrand of San Diego.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 2725, Sag Harbor, NY 11963. When making a donation, please note in whose honor the gift or memorial is made.