Obituary of James W. Eggert

James W. Eggert of Westfield, New York, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 5, 2010. He was born February 17, 1929, the eldest son of Albert and Emma Wilson Eggert. Jim was a graduate of Westfield Academy and Central School and attended Cornell University. In 1953 he married Katherine and they started their first business venture in agriculture. Jim served in the United States Army Signal Corp from 1954 to 1956 where he was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone with the Special Services. Following the completion of his military duties, Jim and Kay established Heritage Acres grape farm in Westfield which they owned and operated successfully for 35 years. Jim invented and perfected one of the first grape harvestors and eventually founded the Eggert-Meccanized Grape Harvestor Company, on which all other grape harvestors are based. Jim was a past member of the Town of Westfield Board Assessment Review, Vice-President of Pomfret C & E Cooperative, National Grape Cooperative board member, Life member of Farm Bureau, past member of the Westfield Fish and Game Club and an NRA Certified Hunter Safety Instructor. Following his retirement from active grape farming in 1988, Jim became a real estate agent for Reed Realty, specializing in farm real estate. In his retirement, Jim enjoyed his passion for inventing and improving various agricultural equipment. Jim was very proud to have served in the military and proud to be an American. Jim is survived by his wife, Katherine, a brother and a sister, and many nephews and nieces, all of whom he was very proud of. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters. No visitation was observed and the internment was private. Memorials may be made to the organization of one's choice.