C. Eddie Hyre, a longtime antiques dealer who had owned shops in New York City, New Hope, Penn., and Lambertville, N.J., died on December 3, 2005, from a lung infection; he was 71 years old.

After graduating from the Pittsburgh Art Institute, and a stint in the army, Hyre came to New York City and got a job in the interior design department of Gimble’s department store where he met Scott Hamilton. Soon afterward, they opened Hamilton-Hyre Antiques Ltd, on Bleecker Street, and later expanded to businesses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Eddie was in the antiques business for 41 years, participating in almost all of the Stella shows, plus Wendy’s, Shador, Zita Bell and others.

Hyre is survived by his brother Herbert, sister Ethel Lee, both of West Virginia, and his partner of 48 years, Scott Hamilton. His sweet smile will be missed by all who knew him.

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