February 29, 1968 – May 3, 2025
It is with great sadness that the family of Eugene “Gene” E. Ecker of Dryden, Ontario announce his passing on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at the age of 57.
Eugene fought the good fight twice with Lymphoma, the first in 2012 where he not only conquered it, he beat all the odds. This time around though the game wasn’t a fair fight and the odds were stacked against him. As a friend, son, brother and an every day hero through his generous nature he will be missed.
Eugene is survived by and the loved stepfather of Alex Jolicoeur and Cassandra Wassell, son of Edward and Joyce Ecker, brother to Yvonne (Grant) Noy, Darryl (Maureen) Ecker, Aaron (Christina) Ecker, and Deirdre (Dennis) Monaghan, uncle to Keith, Kyla, Kathryn, and Matthew and long-time and best friends Peter Bobrowski and Garth Gillis.
As an avid cyclist; no trail was too formidable unless it challenged his best. It was a state of mind for him. Eugene had a life-long passion for physical activity and healthy living. No day was ordinary if it didn’t include some sporting activity and he participated in whatever he could.
Our thanks to all of you who kept his spirits up through visits, emails, texts and phone calls during this last month. We owe special gratitude to the medical staff of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre ICU and Neurology who cared for Eugene with dignity, thoughtfulness and gentleness.
Please do not send flowers. If you feel you must give something, please consider a donation in his name to a charity of your choice. Or give yourself the gift of physical activity and find a sport that you love and DO IT.
Eugene will be cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, May 18 from 1:00 PM to 4:00PM at the Best Western Plus Dryden Hotel & Conference Centre 349 Government Street, Dryden ON. All are welcome to share some stories, food and honour Eugene and the journey you ‘cycled’ together, because that journey was the reward.
