Albert L. Heckert, a former Pierson High School art teacher and Hampton Bays resident, died peacefully on January 6. He was 87.
He was born on October 24, 1935, in Butler, Pennsylvania, to Albert and Myrtle Heckert. He graduated from Edinboro College and went on to do master’s work at the University of Colorado. After teaching at Slippery Rock, he then moved to Sag Harbor in 1962 and taught art at Pierson High School for over 30 years. He enjoyed teaching all different types of art from drawing to ceramics and his creativity and passion were passed on to his students, his family said.
An accomplished singer and performer, Heckert acted in local theater groups and directed dramatic productions at Pierson. He was a member of the Whalers Barbershop chorus and was a vocal soloist at churches across the East End.
He was a devoted painter for much of his life. He drew inspiration for his paintings from his favorite places on Long Island. The ocean and boatyards in Hampton Bays, the barns and fields of Water Mill and the homes he lived in were some of his favorite subjects. He never stopped learning and attended figure drawing classes regularly into his early 80s.
Heckert was an involved and loving father, grandfather, friend and teacher. He was funny, imaginative, generous, kind and put a smile on people’s faces wherever he went, his family said. He could turn anything into a song and was well known at his local hangouts around the Hamptons. He had a passion for encouraging others to find their own creativity — whether through painting, drawing, music, woodwork, writing or movement. He will be deeply missed by his friends and family and all those who knew him, his family said.
He is survived by his children, Deborah Heckert, Eric Heckert, Alexander Heckert, Samantha Heckert Fischette and Kathleen Heckert; his grandchildren, Rowan Heckert, Charles Fischette and Ezra Fischette; his sister Ruth Mcllvain; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the R.J. O’Shea Funeral Home in Hampton Bays. A memorial service will be held at a later date. To be informed when and where that will take place, email the family at alheckertmemorial@gmail.com.
Staff Writer on Jan 31, 2023