Elton W. Ernest Essex Junction Elton William Ernest, 71 passed away on Wednesday July 2, 2014 at Vermont Respite House in Williston. He was born on December 26, 1942 in Albany, NY son of the late Elton Kenneth and Marie (DeRusso) Ernest. At 16 years old he met his love of his life, Eileen Dembrosky while working in the cafeteria at Albany hospital. They married on May 15, 1965 in St. Patrick’s Church, NY. They had two children, Elton of South Burlington and Elizabeth of Monkton. He took extreme pride in his 4 grandchildren, Robert “Will” Aldrich (15), Emily Aldrich (14), Ashley Aldrich (12) and Elton Ernest (12), who he would sit for hours and listen and tell stories with. He worked at IBM as a programmer for 30 years. During that time he received his bachelors degree from Trinity College of Vermont. He took pride in his service in the Air Force from 1961-1965, where he was stationed in Japan. He had a life long love affair with coffee, gin and tonic, Hershey Kisses and burnt toast. He loved the Red Sox, being with friends, jogging, dancing, gardening, reading history and mystery books, living with-in his means and volunteering for various organizations. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Bishop Rice Council for 45 years. He attended Mass daily and believed deeply in God. Elton is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Eileen Ernest of Essex Jct.; his two children son Elton Kenneth Ernest and his wife Hannah of South Burlington; daughter Elizabeth Aldrich and her husband Robert of Monkton; three siblings: brothers Ronald Ernest and William Ernest and his companion Dorothy Crupe; his sister Linda Rowinski and husband Gene all of NY; four grandchildren: Robert “Will” Aldrich; Emily Aldrich; Ashley Aldrich and Elton William Ernest; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins including his God Children Katrina (Ernest) Mayba and Adam Rowinski; a brother-in-law Thomas Deitz of NY; three sisters-in-law Barbara Rogers of FL; Sheila Benedict and husband Floyd of NV; Kristine Ingemie and husband Joseph of NY; Barbara Ernest and a close and very special friend Arpy Ernest. Elton was also predeceased by his brothers-in-law Thomas Dembrosky; Robert Rogers; sister-in-law Mary Deitz; an infant niece Gina Rowinski. We would also like to thank the amazing and caring staff at the VNA/Respite House who helped Elton for the last couple weeks of his life. Because of his irrational fear that his family would throw him a Yankee’s themed funeral despite his dislike for the team, there will be no “theme” and per Elton’s wishes there will be no public visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday July 8, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church, Essex Junction with Reverend Charles Ranges, S.S.E. officiating. Inurnment will follow in the family lot in Holy Family Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Family Parish Hall Building Fund, 4 Prospect Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452 or to a charity of your choice. The family also invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.