Norman Hecker

DATELINE: CRANSTON Hecker, Norman, 96, died Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at home. Norman enjoyed 68 wonderful years with his late wife, Frances (Senders). Born in Pawtucket, a son of the late Oscar and Bessie (Wichnin) Hecker, he had lived in Cranston for 46 years, previously living in Providence for over 40 years. Norman joined the Navy in June of 1943, immediately after graduating from Hope High School.  He proudly served during WWII aboard the USS Arided (AK 73) and received 2 Bronze Stars among his awards.  Norman was a Mason for 65 years and a member of the Ionic Lodge #28, and was given a 50 year medal. He was a manager and supervisor at several locations for Benny’s Home & Auto for 27 years, retiring in 1991. Norman was devoted to his wife Frances of...

Burton “Burt” Eckoff

The great pianist Burt Eckoff died of liver cancer on January 21, 2021. Humble and conscientious, he was respected among his peers for his artistry and wisdom. Eckoff was born on August 4, 1940 in Providence, Rhode Island. He began playing piano at age 5, but first turned professional as a guitarist, in his teenage years at the Celebrity Club, where he played in an R&B band. In 1959 he moved to Boston to study Psychology at Boston University, and established himself locally as a pianist, becoming busy enough that he left BU in 1961 to focus on music. In 1963, summertime engagements with two important musicians of the day–Sam Rivers and Ted Curson–led Eckoff to move to New York City. Between the mid 1960s and the early 1980s, Eckoff played with an...

Bernard “Bernie” Bieder

DATELINE: Warwick Bieder, Bernard “Bernie,” 97, died Saturday, January 23, 2021 at LivGenerations Ahwatukee in Phoenix, AZ. He was the beloved husband of the late Audrey (Benzion) Bienenfeld Bieder and the late Harriet Farber Bieder. Born in Fall River, MA, a son of the late Emil and Sonia (Ostroff) Bieder, he was a lifelong Warwick resident. Bernie was the owner of the former Peoples Department Store until 1984. He was a WW-II Army veteran, earning a Purple Heart from a shrapnel injury. Known as “The Honey Man,” Bernie had his own apiary, was the former head of the RI Beekeeping Society, and tended hives around the state. He collected and made prizewinning honey and taught people the art of preparing honey. He was a member of Congregation Or Chadash and...

Halina Irving

DATELINE: Woodland Hills, CA Irving, Halina, 83, died Monday, January 25, 2021 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of John Irving for 62 years. Born in Krakow, Poland, a daughter of the late Herman and Sarah (Barach) Semmel, Halina was a child holocaust survivor and lived in hiding during World War II in Hungary, and subsequently in Prague and Brussels, before coming to America in 1951. A documentary about her experiences during the war – “Hiding Halina” – was produced in 2008. After receiving a Master’s Degree in French literature at UCLA and teaching French there for several years, she discontinued her studies to raise a family. She later resumed her education and enjoyed a long and successful career as a...

Leon S. Bram

DATELINE: DELRAY BEACH, FL Bram, Leon S., 82 died Monday, January 25, 2021 at Trustbridge Hospice. He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara (Susser) Bram. Born in Providence, a son of the late Joseph and Bessie (Chansky) Bram, he had lived in Delray Beach for 13 years, previously living in Warwick and Providence. He was the owner of Abramco, Inc in Providence for 8 years, the Plant Manager for Louis Gordon Co. in Warwick for 12 years and Armet-Raleigh in Providence for 18 years, retiring in 2006. Leon was on the Board of Directors for Fashion Jewelry Association of America and for Providence Hebrew Free Loan Association for 25 years. Devoted father of Mark Bram (Katya Ginzburg-Bram) of Providence and Lauray Brogno (Bill) of Boynton Beach, FL. Dear brother of...