ILION, N.Y. -- "I'm gonna miss him. I like Gary, I'm gonna miss Gary", said Andrew Trask.
Andrew Trask is just one of the many people who say they knew Gary Eckler, and wish he was still around. The 66-year-old was the victim of a fatal stabbing on Clark Street in Ilion, Friday.
Police arrested 24 year old Crystal Pullin and charged her with manslaughter in the second degree, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
We're told Eckler was an avid hockey fan and was an off-ice official at the Utica AUD. A moment of silence was held in Eckler's honor at the beginning of the Comets game, Friday night.
In a statement, Utica Comets President Robert Esche said, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Gary Eckler. He was a longtime member and supporter of Utica's hockey community and our condolences go out to his family and friends".
"Gary was always nice. I've never seen him get angry or I've never seen him get mouthy or anything like that. I knew him since I was in school and he always seemed to be a real nice guy," said Trask.
And while loved ones continue to mourn Eckler, police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.