John R. Eckersley

MERIDEN - John R. Eckersley, 63, of 24 North First St., Meriden, beloved husband of Deborah Tillbrook Eckersley, passed away at home on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002. Born in Pocatello, Idaho, on Dec. 17, 1938, John was the son of Jack J. Lewis and the late Ellen Clawsen Lewis of Uniontown, PA. He had resided in Meriden since 1988 and had been employed by Ames Department Stores. He had previously lived in Anaheim, California and Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked for Prudential Insurance Company. Besides his wife, Deborah, he is survived by three sons and a daughter-in-law, Architect John and Jill Mastera of New Canaan, CT, Jim Mastera of Newport Beach, CA and Jeff Eckersley of Omaha, NE; a daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Jules Eckersley and Ian Morrison of Oak Park, IL; one grandson, Jordan Mastera; five granddaughters, Jenna and Amanda Mastera, Jessica and Justina Eckersley and Madison Mastera; a sister and brother-in-law, Virginia L. and Marty Ward of Sun City, CA; a brother and sister-in-law, Melvin J. and Rachel Eckersley of Cleveland, OH. He is also survived by many loving sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Carl Tillbrook, Jr. of Meriden; Doug and Kim Brown of Wallingford; James and Maryann Tillbrook of Durham; Mark Tillbrook of Wallingford and Donna Tillbrook of Meriden; many nieces and nephews and a very good, longtime friend, Christopher Dougan of Meriden. John will be greatly missed by all who knew him for he put a bit of sunshine and a smile into everyone's day. Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Sat., Nov. 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the BEECHER & BENNETT FLATOW FUNERAL HOME, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden, CT with the funeral at 7 p.m. Burial will be Tues., Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Eckersley's memory may be made to Hospice Home Care, Div. of Connecticut Hospice, Inc., 110 Barnes Road, Wallingford, CT 06492.