Frank J. Eichinger was born on April 5, 1936 in Hartford, CT, grew up in East Hampton, CT and passed away at home in Hornell, NY on July 4, 2026. He was 90 years old.
He graduated from East Hampton High School in 1954 and after graduation, worked in a machine shop learning the tool and die trade. He enjoyed hunting and shooting, and forged several of his own weapons.
Frank joined the U.S. Army in 1956 and served with the 10th Mountain Division. While stationed in Germany, he oversaw the armory, was an expert marksman and worked as a German-English translator.
After the Army, he became a Senior Engineer with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Hartford, CT and later transferred to the South Florida branch in 1972. After retiring from Pratt & Whitney, he worked as a Senior Inspector at Perry Tritech Inc in Jupiter, FL, a company that designed and built unmanned submarines.
While in Florida, Frank owned and operated two assisted living facilities, known as The Swiss House 1 and 2.
He enjoyed boating, camping and biking. He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church and the BPOE. He loved poetry and music and was a man of faith and integrity.
Frank married his wife, Michele, in 2010 and moved to New York State in 2013, where he continued to enjoy his active lifestyle and spending time with his grandson, Zakai.
He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Katharine (Birner) Eichinger, who owned and operated the Heidelberg Inn in East Hampton, CT.
He is survived by his wife, Michele (Travis-Stuckey) Eichinger of Hornell; his sister, Ann Louise (Dan) Hall of Andover, MA; two daughters, Ellie Ann Schwartz of Jupiter, FL, and Christine (Joel) Jenkins of Fairfax, VA; and son, Thomas Eichinger of Stuart, FL. Also surviving are two stepsons, Adam Stuckey (Kiani Stank) and Kyle Stuckey (Aerial Henry); grandchildren Zakai Stuckey and Lillianna Baumgartner of Hornell; grandsons Mark, Kevin and Justin Schwartz, and David McClure of Florida; granddaughter Marie (AJ) Guagenti of Virginia; great-grandchildren Andrew Henderson, Anthony and Abigail Guagenti of VA; nephews Christopher and Jonathan Hall and grand-niece Abigail Hall of MA; and cousin Mary (George) Loos of East Hampton CT.
At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours. Private graveside services will be held at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in East Hampton, CT where he will be laid to rest with his father.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support the Special Olympics.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com
