William T. Ernst

Daddy, Popi, Pops, Uncle Bill, BIG GUY!

February 22, 1937 – January 7, 2020

How do you summarize a mans life on a page, when writing this means saying goodbye to you…. Something I never want to do.

You slipped away quietly and gently into the night like another fishing trip but this time you sailed away to paradise!

William was born in Norfolk, VA to Leslie and Alice (Symanski) Ernst. He had a younger brother Robert (Bobby) Ernst. All have preceded him.

He lived his childhood years on 33 Niles Hill Road in New London. His fondest memories are of Shelby Ohio, where he and his brother spent endless summers with their grandparents – the salt of the earth! Train tacks and fields of splendor. The corner store… ice cream and penny candy this is where life’s simplicity was embraced.

He joined the United States Air Force excelling in Communications. Beale Air Force Base was the beginning of an 8 ½ year service he performed. The latter years were spent in the Reserves due to an injury he suffered. He was blonde hair & blue eyed 6’3”… a very handsome Soldier. A decorated Korean War Veteran… he bled Red, White & Blue.

After serving, he began a job at Coca Cola as a delivery / sales rep. This job was short lived because during his route he met Rose Renaldi (our mother). One day he parked his truck outside J.B. Martin and didn’t leave until he had the chance to talk to her and tell her how he felt about her. He still holds the record today of bringing back a full truck load – not even one sample given away, but he was victorious in his own way.

The two married on October 15, 1960. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with renewal of their vows at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Norwich. Death couldn’t part the two as William remained faithful until they were re-united as one again!

William went on to work at Robertson Paper Mill and retired from Connecticut Light & Power Company in Montville where he was Union President and Maintenance Worker.

After retirement, he worked for the Norwich Police Department for 27 years as a crossing Guard at Uncas Elementary. Popi and his dog Sam…. Protecting the children!

William and Rose raised their two little girls in their little pink house of 51 years. Our Westside Story… Endless tap and ballet classes, baton twirling, cheerleading, soft ball, swimming lessons, ice skating, girl scout outings… Our Dad was there for it all with us.

An avid fisherman he was a member of the Griswold Fish & Game Club as well as the Narragansett Indians Fishing Club. William is a lifetime member of the American Legion – Post 4. He was an immense UConn Girls Huskeis fan, Die hard Red Sox and Patriots fan.

William lived his last year sharing his home with his best friend and Grandson Kevin and his family. He loved his Kitemaug home – his Castle on the Cove.

The most amazing husband, father, grandfather and friend anyone could ask for! He loved his family with a passion. To us he was our food connoisseur, our great historian, our jokester, our bull in the china shop, our protector, our heart. Born with an internal GPS he could get anywhere and fix anything with black salve and duck tape. We know he has rejoined the light and is with his wife our Mother/ Mimi in Heaven never to be parted again.

William leaves behind his daughters… Karen Marie Sullivan-Merrick of New London and Leslie Ann (Ernst) Tellalian of Wellesley, MA (his baby). His Grandchildren Kevin E. Sullivan Jr. and his wife Pekah Sullivan, Marissa Rose Merrick, Owen Tellalian, Anna Tellalian, Evan Tellalian, and Bennett Tellalian. Great-Grand Children Aaron Lee Skyers Sullivan and Isabella Marie Sullivan

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Norwich on Tuesday February 4th 2020 at 10am Burial will follow.