In Memory
It is with much sadness that we share with you that our classmate, Ernie Pelaia passed away on
Sunday, January 17, 2021. Ernie was a kind and caring person who was a great friend. He will be remembered
as a positive, loyal, and private person who was soft-spoken but very competitive and hard-working.
He was an excellent athlete, teammate, and loving family man.
We extend our thoughts and prayers to his wife Sandrae and his four children,
Timi Kormos, E.C.Pelaia, Tracy Pelaia Taylor, and Holly Boatright.
Rest in peace, dear friend.
Ernie Pelaia passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2021, at the age of 76.
Ernie was born on Wednesday, February 23, 1944.
Ernie was, first and foremost, a family man. He is survived by Sandrae, his wife of 57 years; and his four children, Timi Kormos (husband Rich and children Marley, Harry, Grace, and Ben), Ernest Charles Pelaia (wife Maureen and children Matt and Ryan), Tracy Pelaia Taylor (son Colin) and Holly Boatright (husband Rex and children, Grace and Alex); and brothers Donny (wife Nadia), Bobby (wife Nancy), Mickey and sister Jinx Main (husband John) and many nieces and nephews. We will miss him greatly and take joy in our memories every day.
Friends will be received at NOSEK-McCreery FUNERAL HOME, 8150 BRECKSVILLE RD., BRECKSVILLE, OH 44141 on Monday, January 25, 2021, from 11:00 am-12:30 pm where a prayer service will begin at 12:30 pm. Ernie's Mass of Christian burial will follow at St. Basil the Great Catholic Church, 8700 Brecksville Rd. Brecksville, OH at 1:00 pm. Interment at Brecksville Cemetery. www.Nosek-McCreery.com
Paula Harlan (Thomas)
This news makes me incredibly sad. I have such fond memories of Ernie. Thank you Terry Krivak for letting me know. I have lost touch with so many.
Bernie Pokropski (Cymbor)
Ernie was always such a great kid. We attended Holy Trinity grade school together until it closed after we were in 7th grade. Ernie lived across the street from school and he almost always went home for lunch. The school was very small; we had 2 grades in 1 room and we all knew each other. The nuns were very strict but very loving. We received a great education and we learned all our prayers in Polish. The 4 classrooms were on the 1st floor and the church was on the 2nd floor. We always knew when there was a funeral in church because the bells would toll. May the bells toll for thee, Ernie. Rest in peace.
James Seaburn
Ernie was a great friend and a solid teammate on the 1960 Tiger football team. He was usually up against an opponent who was much bigger than him but Ernie always held his own. He had "true grit", both on and off the football field.
There are so many good memories - I have to summarize one. Ernie's dad had been a high ranking professional boxer. Lots of facial scars, cauliflower ears and flat nose. Lots of boxing gear around his house. After the sophomore football season, Ernie and I decided that working out with that gear would be a good way to "toughen up" and stay in shape. Ernie's dad taught us some basics and ref'd some sparring sessions. After a while, we thought we were getting pretty good and the idea occurred that we should try the Golden Gloves (amatuer) tournament in Pittsburgh. At our age we needed a parent to sign for us. My dad said OK so long as Ernie's dad thought we could do it. Ernie carefully prepared the story to ask his dad. Long silence. Then he got up from a chair, walked over to Ernie and stood no more than three inches from Ernie's nose and said "Sure, (another long pause) all you have to do is beat me in the ring". Thus ended the boxing careers of Ernie and me.
You were a good guy Ernie. RIP.
Jim Seaburn
Lon Hogue
Classmate, teamate, friend. Ernie was our 3rd baseman on the 1961 WPIAL Championship team and the Beaver Falls American Legion team. He was a good guy. Last time I saw Ernie was at our 50th year reunion. We had a good reunion that night. Rest in Peace Brother and God Bless your family.
Lonnie Hogue
Pauline Young (Morgan)
Ernie has been a great classmate and friend to many who will be missed by many. i wish to to extend my sincere sympathy to his family and may he rest in peace but will be remember by all, with many warm thoughts and in our prayers.
Pauline Morgan
Maureen Piccinini (Golmont)
So very sad. Ernie was one of the nicest guys in our class, always polite and very kind. We had a few classes together. He will be remembered fondly.
Stanley Kondracki
Here's to my long and lasting friend. Ernie was my closet friend and will always be remembered. We had a great time playing baseball and football together. you will always remain in my memories. God bless you Ernie.
Judith Abraham
Blessed Be His Journey. Condolances to his family. I too remember him as a gentle soul.
Larry Patterson
Wow, Ernie was a class guy! Heck of a footballer (competitive), but always appeared calm, cool and collected. I'm so glad that I had the good fortune off knowing him. RIP Tiger. Larry
Martha Dean (Hoegle)
When I saw the notice of Ernie's death in January I remember reading his obituary on the class site and also at the funeral home, but I did not make any comment.at either place. I do not remember if Ernie and I were ever in any classes together, but I do remember him playing sports and being very dedicated to his team. I was in the band so I especially remember seeing all of the football games and the excitement of each game. My sympathy and prayers to his wife, Sandrae and their children and all of his loved ones. They were blessed with 57 years of marriage and I know Sandrae will miss his presence. Losiing a classmate is hard, but we all have special memories of him that we will always treasure.