Harold Paul Ernst, Jr.

Harold Paul Ernst, Jr. passed away in the home that he loved in Wyckoff, NJ on Friday, August 25, 2023 after a long illness, surrounded by his wife and 2 daughters.

Harold was born October 13, 1941 in Morristown, NJ to Harold and Elizabeth (Shillcutt) Ernst. After graduating from Bishop Egan High School, Levittown, PA in 1960, he joined the United States Navy. His five-year military service included being aboard the USS Enterprise as an airplane mechanic during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Harold was employed with American Airlines for 35 years. He started his career as an airplane mechanic at LaGuardia and retired as an aircraft maintenance supervisor at Newark International in 2004. He also volunteered with the Wyckoff Fire Department Company #1 in the 1970’s and 80’s.

Not one to be idle, Harold took his passion for many hobbies to a new level. He was a master gardener who built a greenhouse in his back yard. He was a member of the LBG train club and built train layouts in the basement and out in the yard. Harold also loved to shop, especially food shopping (The Market Basket and Dairy Queen will most certainly miss him).

Harold is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years Peggy, his two daughters, Deborah Herman and her husband George of Ogdensburg, NJ and Michelle Johnson and her husband Tony of Kinnelon, NJ; his sister, Geraldine Gallo of Clarksville, GA; and seven grandchildren, Andrew and Daniel Herman; Syd and Ty Johnson; Abigail and Zoe Neves; and Jonathan Ernst. His parents and son, Michael, predeceased him.

The family will receive friends and celebrate Harold’s life on his birthday Friday, October 13, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Vander Platt Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Avenue. Wyckoff, NJ. A memorial service will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Harold’s memory can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516, www.woundedwarriorproject.org

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