Arrangements set for Ecker funeral

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - People kept coming last night to pay their respects to a fallen local military hero.

The turnout for Saturday is expected to be even bigger.

An estimated one thousand people walked through the East Longmeadow High School auditorium yesterday to hug Sgt. Mark Ecker's parents, to show their support and pay their respects.

They also came to express their gratitude for the young man who, despite losing both legs in an explosion in Iraq two years ago, maintained a positive attitude toward life.

Mark Ecker died in a one-car rollover crash last week in Andover.

Many of the people who attended Friday, like Zach Berquist, knew Mark or his family.

"He had a determination that helped shape the person that I am today," he explains. "He was an inspiration to me and many people. And he had a heart of gold."

Others, like Janet Sessions, were just touched by his noble character.

"He was just amazing. And the things he's done since he came home, since his recovery, with the town, with the kids. He was just at Meadowbrook last week donating the flags. He's just been such a role model for all the kids. And for everybody. For all the adults too."

There will be a public funeral service 11a.m. Saturday at the East Longmeadow High School footbal stadium.

The service will be followed by a public celebration of Mark Ecker's life on the high school grounds at 12:30.

At 10:15a.m. Monday, Ecker's funeral procession will roll from Forastiere-Smith Funeral Home in East Longmeadow.

The funeral procession will make its way through East Longmeadow, around the rotary and over the South End Bridge.

From there it will travel route 57 to the Veterans Cemetery in Agawam.

The actual burial at the Veterans Cemetery is private, but the family is hoping well-wishers will line the procession route and show their support for Mark.