Ernest Dearnaley

ID# 15091, b. 21 February 1923, d. 31 May 2011
Ernest Dearnaley was also recorded as Ernie.
He was also recorded as Earnest Dearnley.
Ernest Dearnaley
(1923-2011)

Birth:
Ernest Dearnaley was born on 21 February 1923 at Pawtucket, Providence county, Rhode Island, USA,
  
Ermie's obituary records "He was the only child of the late John and Florence (West) Dearnaley of Fall River, MA."
At Ernie's birth John Dearnaley was aged 66 and Florence was aged 63.

An Ancestry tree uploaded by one of Ernest's descendants shows his parents as Philipe A Raimbeault (1898-1969) & Rose Ann Bernier (Barney) (1903-1993).
No further evidence is given, but I have no reason to doubt the entry.


Ernest Dearnaley was the son of Philipe A Raimbeault and Rose Ann Bernier.

Adoption:
Ernest Dearnaley became the adopted son of John Dearnaley; about 1925
 . 


Adoption:
Ernest Dearnaley became the adopted son of Florence Ann West; about 1925
 . 


Residence:
in 1990 Ernest Dearnaley lived at Concord, Contra Costa county, California, USA,
 . 


Residence:
in 2011 Ernest Dearnaley lived at Somerset, Bristol county, Massachusetts, USA,
 . 



Death:
Ernest Dearnaley died on 31 May 2011 at Charlton Memorial Hospital, Fall River City, Bristol county, Massachusetts, USA, at age 88 years, 3 months and 10 days
  
Ernest Dearnaley, 88, of Somerset, Massachusetts passed over into eternal life, at The Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, MA on May 31, 2011 after a five day illness.

He was the only child of the late John and Florence (West) Dearnaley of Fall River, MA.

Lovingly known as Ernie by his family and friends, he was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on February 21, 1923. Ernie served in the U.S. Navy as a signalman on the USS Breeman, DE distinguishly serving his nation during WWII from 1942-1945, a proud member of "The Greatest Generation." Two months before his discharge from the Navy in January, 1946, he was united in marriage to Mary E. Greene on October 27, 1945.

He had been employed at The Spectator Press prior to his enlistment into the Navy, first as a paperboy at the age of 12, and after his discharge resuming his career at The Spectator. He learned the trade of linotype operator and in the late1970s became the copy editor for the paper until his retirement in 1989, thereby ending a distinguished 52 year career at the newspaper.

He graduated from Somerset High School in the class of 1941 where he played on the high school's baseball team as well as center on the football team.

He was a communicant of the Congregational Christian Church in Somerset for the past 51 years. As a member of the church, he served as a deacon, was a member of the choir for 30 years, served as an usher greeting congregants and tolling the churche's bells signaling the beginning of Sunday services for many, many years.

He served on The Ways and Means Committee, The Building Commitee, the Canvassing Committee and was a member of the couples club in addition to serving on various other committees with the church over the years. He was an active participant in the churche's Christmas Bazaar which he enjoyed immensely organizing the bazaar's Country Store for many years and taking great pleasure in donning the attire of a country store clerk.

Ernie enjoyed innumerable activities during his lifetime, some of which were bowling, square dancing, ballroom dancing, and rooting for the Red Sox and Patriots his entire life. In his youth, Ernie had a beautiful tenor singing voice and sang in the choir at the Church of the Ascension on Rock Street in Fall River.

Ernie was known for his calm nature, his kindness and his genuine enjoyment of people. Anyone who met Ernie liked him and he enjoyed lifelong friendships even being able to enjoy a visit in the hospital on the day of his passing by a high school classmate and close friend of more than 80 years.

The Herald News, Fall River, MA 3 June, 2011.

Ernest Dearnaley appeared in the 1930 US census at
106 Tecumseh Street, Fall River, Bristol county, Massachusetts, USA.
On 8 April 1930:-

DEARNLEY, John Head Mar.(at age 22) 70 England fa: England mo: Eng. Weaver (Cotton Mill)
DEARNLEY, Florence A Wife Mar.(at age 25) 66 Massachusetts fa: Mass. mo: Eng. None
DEARNLEY, Earnest Adopted-son Sngl 7 Rhode Island fa: U.S.* mo: U.S.* None

* Original entry was "Unknown" which is struck-through & replaced with "U.S."

Address: 106 Tecumseh Street, Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts, USA
Ward of City: 4 Block: 31 House Number: 106
Dwelling Number: 29 Family Number: 207
Year: 1930; Census Place: Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts;
Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0042; FHL microfilm: 2340623.



Ernest Dearnaley appeared in the 1940 US census at
2220 Riverside Avenue, Somerset Town, Bristol county, Massachusetts, USA.
On 1 April 1940:-

WEST, Harry F Head 64 Mar Mass.
WEST, Ellen A Wife 60 Mar Mass.
DEARNLEY, John Bro-in-law 80 Wid English
DEARNLEY, Earnest Nephew 17 Sngl Rhode Island.