Ernest Pacchiana
Obituary Reports the death of an individual, providing an account of the person’s life including their achievements, any controversies in which they were involved, and reminiscences by people who knew them.
Ernest Leonard Pacchiana passed away peacefully at his home on Jan. 18 in Stormville, N.Y. with all the love of his family.
Ernie, as he was known to friends and family, was born in Yonkers in 1937 to parents Anselmo and Marie Pacchiana.
He attended Iona Prep School, where his football exploits helped the team win the first ever NYSCHSAA championship. From there, he attended Union College (NY) earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Ernie joined the U.S. Army and served diligently during the Cold War as an engineer. After the army, Ernie went to work in the family construction business, Thalle Construction, and managed many municipal and university projects until he embarked on his own real estate and residential development career as a certified professional engineer.
A longtime Little League and CYO basketball coach and organizer, Ernie also created the Pony League middle distance baseball for his youngest son and friends when he saw a need for kids who still wanted to play baseball after Little League. He introduced paddle tennis to northern Westchester and the Briarcliff courts are dedicated in his honor. He founded the Briarcliff Rotary Club chapter with other local businessmen, again creating something new when he saw the need.
Ernie is survived by his loving wife, Nannette Stone, his five children, Dean, Adam, Jennifer, Jean Marie and Joseph, whom he loved slightly more than his dogs (too numerous to name), his younger brother Paul, his 12 loving grandchildren, and also his longtime first wife and devoted mother of his children, Kathryn Adams.
There is no immediate plan for a funeral service due to changing pandemic conditions, but a celebration-of-life gathering is planned for Father’s Day weekend. You may contact any family member for details.
If you would like to donate in Ernie’s name, please consider the Briarcliff Rotary Club or Westchester SPCA.
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