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Michael Edward Eckerd passed on May 17, 2026, in Chesapeake, Virginia, after a long decline from Parkinson’s disease. His family was by his side. A humble man of humble beginnings, Michael E. Eckerd was born November 14, 1946 in a house in Duncannon, Pennsylvania, to Frank and Carolyn Eckerd. He graduated from Susquenita High School, and spent fifty years living in Marysville, PA, with his wife, Sally Ann Eckerd, raising his family.
Michael served in the United States Navy during the 1960s, as ship electrician stationed primarily in Europe and Norfolk, Virginia. After returning home, he spent his career as a train dispatcher, first for the Penn Central Railroad, then Conrail, and finally Norfolk Southern. Michael retired in 2006.
Michael was an active man throughout his life. He bowled, played tennis and golf, ran, cycled, hiked, and competed in triathlons. He was an avid Phillies fan, and loved tinkering with his convertibles, loves that he passed on to his sons, Tony and Adam.
He was a devoted father, teaching his sons to love all the sports he did and he never missed an event for his sons. Michael was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Sally Ann Eckerd in 2022 and his sister, Shirley in 2015. He is survived by his brothers Frank and Jeff, his son Tony and his wife Teresa, his grandson Zach, his wife Kailey and his great-granddaughter Lyla, his grandson Jack, and his son Adam and his wife Nicole.
A celebration of Mike's life will be held 3-5pm on Friday, June 5, 2026 at Lindgren Craft Brewery, 5 N. Market Street, Duncannon, PA 17020. In honor of Michael, the family requests donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at michaeljfox.org. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.

Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was founded in Nags Head, NC in 2006 by licensed North Carolina Funeral Director Courtney N. Gallop. This independent, minority and woman-owned start-up funeral home challenged the existing monopoly firm which had sole control of all funeral care, goods, and services provided in Manteo, the Outer Banks, and Currituck County for nearly 100 years.
Finally - someone brought competition into the local funeral industry. As a direct result of Gallop Funeral Services, Inc., local families now have choices, options, alternatives, fairer pricing, flexibility, and a higher level of service in funeral care for their loved ones.

In 2016, Gallop Memorial Chapel was opened in Barco, NC. The spacious, newly remodeled facility is the first and only funeral service-related business ever to locate in Currituck County. The Barco Gallop Memorial Chapel is conveniently located near the Outer Banks, Moyock and Elizabeth City. The elegant yet relaxing chapel interior is welcoming and comfortable for viewings, family gatherings, funerals, and memorial services. Our Barco chapel is perfectly equipped to serve all faiths and families in the county.
Courtney Gallop and the staff at Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. are committed to excellence. We continue to improve, grow, invest, and learn in order to provide the highest level of service for all families entrusted to our care.

In 2011, we built and established Capital Crematory, the first and only crematory ever in Dare County. The crematory supports Gallop Funeral Services and also provides professional cremation services for other funeral homes in the Albemarle area. Having our own local crematory means your loved one's cremation will be handled personally by owners of the funeral home, 100% locally, quickly, and at the best pricing.