Ray passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, while in the Hospice Care Unit at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, FL. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on July 11, 1946. The son of Viola and Frank and brother of Franklin, he lived on Long Island, NY, until moving to Del Tura Country Club in North Fort Myers, FL, in 2002. Ray loved the year round warm climate and enjoyed the beaches, kayaking and bicycling. He had an extraordinary memory that held a wide-ranging wealth of knowledge, and a great sense of humor. He cared very deeply about his family and friends.
As a young man, Ray was an accomplished accordion player and Roller Skating Dance Champion, winning many dancing awards and trophies. In 1966, he was expected, by many coaches and competitors, to win, along with his dance partner, the next scheduled National Dance Couples Competition. He never entered, as he was drafted into the US Army for a two-year period, including combat in Vietnam. He was truly a brave warrior.
He is survived by his brother, Franklin, sister-in-law, June, nephew, Bryan and niece, Cheryl, who will love him, forever.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd, St Petersburg, FL, on Wednesday, August 4th at 2:15PM.
If you would like to make a donation in the memory of Raymond T. Ernst, please send a check, made payable to Bay Pines VAHCS GPF 1086. These should be mailed to Bay Pines VAHCS Hospice and Palliative Care Unit, Ward 5C, P.O. Box 5005, Bay Pines, FL, 33744.
My heart broke when I heard the news of Ray’s passing. He was my friend for a little over a decade. Not just a friend though, he was like family…he was the most wonderful big brother I could ever have. He possessed a great voice, a sense of humor that made me collapse with laughter, and he had the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known. We would talk for hours on end and I loved hearing the stories of his life. This world, my world, was an infinitely better place because of his being in it. To say that I will miss him is a huge understatement. I will treasure all the memories and hold him in my heart forever.
To Ray’s family…I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I have been and will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you, watch over you, and give you peace.
Love,
Adrienne
May Ray have happiness and peace in heaven.
I have wonderful memories of my cousin Ray, his brother Franklin, and their parents, my Aunt Vi and Uncle Frank. Ray was definitely talented with his music and skating. He was an important help to his mother when his father passed away, he served his country in Vietnam and lived a good, productive life. The last time I saw Ray was just before he retired and moved to Florida. I am happy that he was able to enjoy his years of retirement in Florida. I will miss him and I am sure everyone who knew him will miss him also.
We know that Ray is in Heaven and this is what gives us peace, although we miss him very much. We were extremely blessed to have Ray and as his Brother I always new that I could never have asked for a better brother. The great conversations, laughs, and Ray’s caring for his family and friends will always be remembered. Love Always, June and Frank
It has been several days since Adrienne called me with the news of Ray’s passing. It’s just today that I am able to write something.
Ray and I have known each other for about ten years. We didn’t speak often, but when we did he always made me laugh. A lot! His humor, intelligence, and perceptive view of life was always a breath of fresh air to me. I will miss that wind.
To his loving, family I extend my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy. His passing is a loss to all who knew him.
Rest in peace, my friend.
I did not know Ray but if he was anything like is brother Frank, he was one GREAT guy with a heart as big as the sky.
June and Frank, we are so sorry for your loss and we know there are no words that will make your brothers passing any easier, but you are sincerely and with love in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Drew and Connie
PRAYER MARKS THE PATH
LOVE GUIDES THE WAY
WE WILL ALL BE THERE ONE DAY
REST IN HIS CARE
MEMORIES ARE HUGS WE CAN REMEMBER AND SHARE UNTIL WE ALL ARE THERE
REST IN HIS PEACE
Frank, June, and Bryan, Joan,
I look forward to being with you this Wednesday at Ray’s service here at Bay Pines. It was my privilege to be with Ray, and with you, as Ray spent his last days here in our Hospice unit. Your love for him was obvious, and I know he knew that for sure!
God bless each of you in this important time …
Dan Hummer
Chaplain
Bay Pines VA
It is with our greatest sympathy that we sign this guestbook in memory of RT. We are very saddened for the loss of such a kind and thoughtful man. We will remember him for his joy of life and great wit. May wonderful memories keep him close to your heart & God’s Love give you comfort. With Prayers and Love
Margaret & Ruth
I will miss my Godfather Uncle Ray very much.
I know he has moved to Heaven peacefully to continue his journey bringing his humor and heart. I have great memories of him on the boat, at my wedding, when he joined us for dinner and Thanks Giving.
I miss you, I love you, your nephew, Bryan
Uncle Ray, you will be missed lots. I wish that I could have spent more time with you before you left, but the memories I have of you will be with me forever. I love you.
I said “Good-Bye” to you, my best friend, today … There are no words that express how very much I will miss you … Rest in peace sweet man and enjoy the love that surrounds you in heaven … Having you in my life has been “outstanding”.
For the brief time that I knew Ray, I quickly learned he was a man never wanting anything more than the simple things in life. Ray was a man who valued his family and friends more than life itself. Ray had incredible personal strength as he never allowed himself to give up. It is with great pride, I say, I am honored to have met such a wonderful person. Ray was a man who not only touched your heart but left footprints when he did. May peace be with you my friend
We send our sincerest condolences to the Ernst family and close friends of Ray. Though we never met him, the accolades bestowed upon him by his family were many. May God keep you in his care and bless you with loving memories of a true patriot. With love and affection, Lynn and Mike Donovan
Dear mr and mrs Ernst and family,
For about ten years Ray was a dear friend. We communicated by mail & e-mail. Once in a while I called Ray and I enjoyed so much his btight humor and intelligence. There was always something to laugh about, always interesting things to talk about. Last year my e-mails returned to me with an error message from his browser. I wondered about Ray and how he was doing…never could think of him being ill.
Today I read someone’s online diary and learned about Ray’s passing away. I am terribly shocked. This is so very sad! I feel very sorry for Ray’s family. He told me about his brother, and about how proud he was to have such a wonderful family. I remember how sad he felt when his mother became ill, I remember how well he cared for her.
To Ray’s family, may God give you much strenght and peace. You are in my thoughts.
Warm greetings to you,
Love
Frieda (Antwerp, Belgium)
Dear mr and mrs Ernst,
I just wrote a long note in this guestbook. However, after I submitted this entry it disappeared. I have knwon Ray for almost 10 years. We wrote and talked, and I am thankful for his friendship.
I was shocked when I got the news today that Ray passed away. I feel very sad and so sorry for his family. He told me often how proud he was to have such a wonderful family.
May God give you much strenght and peace. You are in my thoughts. Warm greetings,
Love,
Frieda (Antwerp, Belgium)
I am an old skating friend of Ray’s. After being out of touch for many years, we reconnected through email several years ago. He was the same nice guy he had always been! Really nice memories. Condolences to his family.
Wow what a shock. We were really close friends in New York. He was Uncle Ray to my children. My ex-husband Brian and Ray were the best of friends. We spent many many holidays with him and Dot. You will be missed but I have all my memories. Love Barbara Abbott4
My heart was broken when I learned of Ray’s passing last week. I skated with Ray for one year in Levittown, NY. We spent some fun times together in our teen years. Sincerest sympathy to the Ernst family. You will be remembered in all my prayers. With Love, Linda
I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too.
I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.
All I have are memories and a picture in a frame.
Your memory is a keepsake, from which I’ll never part.
God has you in His arms, I have you forever in my heart.
You would be 65 today, you’re gone way too soon :(
One year ago we lost you, and even though I still miss you like crazy, my little jellybean, I know you are looking down and smiling that wonderful smile. So I will look up and smile back, and give thanks for the gift of friendship I hold in my heart forever.
Much love on this day to Frank & June & their family and Joanie.
Adrienne