Ernest Brandolini

CHESHIRE- Ernest J. "Ernie" Brandolini, 86, passed away peacefully Thursday May 22, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of Barbara Bartnett Brandolini, having just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on May 15, 2014. Ernie was born in New Haven, July 11, 1927 son of the late Matthew and Jennie (Santoro) Brandolini. After graduating from Hillhouse High School in 1944, Ernie joined the US Navy to serve in WWII on the USS Minos. Following his discharge from the Navy, Ernie attended and graduated from Stone Business College, where he met his wife to be, Barbara. Ernie became a member of The Knights of Columbus, was the treasurer of the Boy Scouts for 10 years, coached for the Charles Health League, and became a member of St. Thomas Becket Church. Ernie spent his whole career in the automobile business, starting several leasing companies. His culmination was being the proud founder and president of Modern Motors (1973) in Thomaston which is the longest running Mazda dealership in the state and he was thrilled that his son Jim now runs the business. While at Modern Motors, he and Barbara had the pleasure of traveling ALL over the world to Mazda and Peugeot events which they thoroughly enjoyed. Even after retiring, he continued to work several days a week. While not a huge golfer, he enjoyed an occasional round of golf in his retirement years. In his later years, he enjoyed his condo in Florida, golfing, visiting Aruba and New Hampshire and, most of all, spending time with his family and grandchildren. He continued to enjoy and follow the New York Giants, UConn Basketball, and the Yankees, watching Yankee games right up to the end.

Ernie is the beloved father of John Brandolini and his wife Doreen of Georges Mills, NH; Jim Brandolini and his wife Lynn of Winchester; Dave Brandolini and his wife Ginny McCoy of Cheshire; Lori Brandolini and her husband Gregory Wells of Eden, VT; and Jodi Fletter and her husband Mark of Oxford. He is the loving grandfather of Kevin and Eric Brandolini; Lauren Brady and her husband Ryan, Jenna and Kristen Brandolini; Samantha, Brando and Sabrina Fletter; and his cherished great grandchildren Quinn and Tucker Brady and their grandmother, Margaret Brandolini. He is survived by his brothers James, Gene and his wife Marion; his sister, Mary Attianese; and a sister in law, Rosemary Brandolini. Ernie is predeceased by Anthony and his wife Theresa Brandolini, Elizabeth and her husband Amedeo Corraro, Boniface Brandolini, Matilda Brandolini, and Joseph Attianese. The nickel/dime poker game in heaven just received another player. Special thanks to all the loving caregivers over the past several years.

Ernie's funeral procession will leave the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home, 615 So. Main St., Cheshire, CT 06410 on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 9:15AM for a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10AM at St. Thomas Becket Church, 435 No. Brooksvale Rd, Cheshire. Interment will follow at St. Bridget Cemetery. Friends may greet the family at the funeral home Monday, May 26, 2014 from 4PM to 8PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Faustman Lab Cure for Diabetes Now Fund (Attn: Dr. Denise Faustman, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129) or Diamond Blackfan Anemia Fund (DBAFoundation.org PO Box 1092 West Seneca, NY 14224). To view these arrangements online, share a story or to light a virtual memorial candle, please visit; www.aldersonfuneralhomes.com