Howard T. Eckels, 68, of St. John Street, North Haven, passed away Thursday, June 28, 2012 at the Hospital of St. Raphael. He was the husband of Lillian R. White Eckels. Born in New Haven on October 14, 1943; son of the late Howard O. and Bernice Dwyer Eckels. Howard grew up in New Haven and Hamden; served his country faithfully in the U.S. Army National Guard Military Police from 1963-1969 during the Vietnam Era; had worked for the SNET Company, was a CT State Police Trooper for 27 years, a U.S. Marshall for 10 years, owned the Howard Pool Service and Enterweb Internet Services. Howard was an amateur photograph for many local papers; member of the North Haven Historical Society and was working on a project with Yale University and the Catholic Church about the cemetery on York Street in New Haven. Father of Thomas (Andrea) Eckels of West Haven, Kimberly (Michael) Johansen of Durham and Brendan F. Eckels of North Haven. Brother of Brian (Linda) Eckels of FL, Neil Eckels of Branford and Mary-Lynne Eckels of Waterbury. Also survived by five grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may call at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Friday, July 6TH, 2012 from 6 to 8 pm. Funeral services and interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Sorry we can’t be there for support to the family and to pay our respects. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
My prayers are with you Lil, Tom, Kim and Brendan. I have very fond memories of Howie and how he always looked after us neighbors. May God bless you.
I was fortunate to meet Howie last summer, when skeletons were recovered at the YNH construction site. Howie’s incredible enthusiasm and attention to detail was both inspirational and challenging – he always made sure that I was thinking about new hypotheses or scenarios. Reading about his remarkable life, I feel lucky to have met him. His contributions will be long remembered by the team that worked with him, and his research on New Haven History will be widely recognized when we disseminate our results. My condolences to his family, he was a remarkable man.
While I have only known Howie for the last couple of years, he had become one of our most dedicated and important researchers and photographers. A new “career’ after the State Police. His recent work on the Yale-New Haven Hospital skeletal remains, was a “masterpiece” of historical research! We will miss him and will honor his memory.
To the Eckels family, god bless all.
I worked with Howard at Troop F in the 80’s. He always had a mellow temperment and was there when you needed help…
Connecticut is a better place thanks to guys like Howard.
Words cannot describe all that was contained in the friendship of 52 years. Howie cannot be replaced.
May he rest in peace and watch over his family and friends.
It was a pleasure to work with Howard at the North Haven Soccer Club. My sincere condolences go out to the Eckels family. May the Lord comfort you in this time of loss.
To Howie’s Family:
Just a note to say that working with Howie at Troop I, Bethany way back when was a pleasure. A smile comes when I think of him back in those days.
My deepest condolences.
Ron.
Our thoughts and prayers our with Lil, Tom, Kim and Brendan at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Brendan,
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
To the Eckels Family,
My condolences to your family during this time of loss. May God’s mercy and grace be evident in your lives during this time of sadness. Continue to pray for each other and find peace in knowing that you will see your beloved one day soon.
Kim, please know that I, as well as others here at the Housing Authority are thinking about you and praying for you during this time. If there is anything that I can do, please know that I am a phone call away. May God be with you and comfort you.
So sorry for your loss. My husband and I have been living at my parents old house since my father married a year ago. I saw the paramedics there I think last week, and wondered if everything was ok.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
My father departing this world has left an emptiness in all that knew and loved him. He was on this earth for 68 years and most of those years he spent protecting and serving those around him. I was extremely proud him and will always be proud to be his daughter. He was a wonderful father. I thank all for their thoughts, prayers, and messages. It does mean a lot to the family.
I have wonderful memories of Uncle Howie from when I was a kid and I will always remember him that way. Strong, sure, and with a knowing smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you Aunt Lillian, Tom, Kim, and Brendan.
Co-worker of daughter Kimberly Johansen. Extending deepest sympathy for you in your loss, hoping that confort and peace may come to you.
I feel fortunate to have been able to recently meet with Mr. Eckels as he was conducting historical research in Downtown New Haven where I work. It was nice to catch up on things a bit with him. Our thoughts are with his family.
I worked with Howard at Troop F Westbrook for my whole career. Howard was a man of dignity and ethics. I remember his passion for baseball spring training. God bless family and friends.
Tom I am so sorry for your loss. I know how close you were to your father. You must remember the good times with him. He knew you loved him.
Erin
Tom, I’ m very sorry for your loss. I know your were very close to your father. If you need anything please ask. He knew that you loved him.
Erin