Ernest J. Ouellette

                     LAVERY CHARTRAND ALARIO FUNERAL HOME

                                      99 SUMMER ST. FITCHBURG, MA

                                                        Obituary

Fitchburg:  Ernest J. Ouellette of Fitchburg, MA passed away peacefully at the age of 95,on Monday  February 16,2021 at his residence with his family at his side . He was born August 5, 1925 in Fitchburg, MA son of Ernest and Lodia (Bourque) Ouellette and was raised in Fitchburg.

Ernie was a twenty year veteran of the U.S. Army and Air Force. His career began in September of 1943 when he enlisted in the Army during WW2. He served in Company B 42nd Armored Infantry Battalion, serving in Europe and earned the Combat Infantryman  Badge and Bronze Star. He served two campaigns in Central Europe and Rhineland. He was discharged on Easter Sunday 1946  He returned to serve his country in 1951 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean War. He continued his service  in the Air Force and served a tour in Vietnam from March 1967 till March 1968. After a 20 year career Ernie retired from duty in the  U.S. Air Force  September 30, 1969.  In 1970 he joined the Civil Service at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma. He worked as a Structural  Technician  and Construction Inspector for Northrop worldwide Aircraft Services until 1992 and then began true retirement with the love of his life, Erma where they  made their home in Enid, OK. Ernie and Erma were married 65 years and were like salt and pepper shakers. They were the perfect fit for each other. Erma passed away in 2015 and Ernie only looked forward to the day he could be reunited with her. For Ernie, that day came on February 16 2021, which  is what his family will officially call “Happy Erma and Ernie Day”.

Ernie always was humble about his service to his country. When anyone thanked him he would bow his head and say “It was my Honor” and he truly meant it.

For enjoyment he loved to play his harmonica to entertain family and friends. He was handsome and charming and will be missed by his many friends he and late wife Erma had made at The Gables. He was a devote Catholic and treasured attending Mass at Our Lady of The Lake Church and while in Oklahoma, at St. Gregory’s Church for the past 40 years.

 He is survived by his step-daughter, Kariene, Rimer and her husband Jason of Henderson, Nevada, his niece and caregiver Janice Amburgey and her husband Mike of Lunenburg, MA, his niece and traveling buddy, Linda Guinard of Lunenburg, MA, nephew Bill LeBlanc and wife Pauline of Rindge, N H , and niece Lisa Blanchard and husband Tom of Ashby, MA. He was predeceased by his brothers, Emil and Phil and sisters, Lorraine Leblanc, Alice Guinard and Louise Lystila.

Uncle Ernie was greatly loved and will be truly missed by his great nieces and nephews as well as his great great nieces and nephews

When Ernie and Erma moved back to Fitchburg 8 years ago the found a new family of friends at their new residence . We would like to sincerely thank the entire staff of The Gables for their love and compassionate care given to both Ernie and Erma over the past 8 years.

His funeral will be held on Monday February 22, 2021 with Mass @ 11a.m. in Our Lady of The Lake Church, 1400 Main St. Leominster, MA Interment with Military Honors will follow in Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery –Winchendon @ 1p.m. A calling hour will be held at the funeral home Monday morning from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend. All Covid – 19 protocols are followed. A Mask is required to attend and social distancing is to be observed.

The Lavery Chartrand   Alario  Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Michael S. Alario – Director – Owner.

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