Ernest L. "Ernie" Andreoli

1927 - 2021

Ernest "Ernie" L. Andreoli, Sr. passed away peacefully in Hartford Hospital with family at age 93, five weeks before his 94th birthday. Ernie was born in Hartford, April 6, 1927, the son of the late Carmela Agnellino from Cusano di Mutri, Italy and Thomas Andreoli from Lauro, Italy. He was the youngest of three boys. Ernie graduated from Weaver High School in 1945 and played the Center football position for the Green Wave as Co-Captain wearing his favorite symbolic #33. Upon graduation, he immediately served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Attu aircraft transfer carrier in the South Pacific near Borneo in the closing months of WWII. He was a very proud WWII US Veteran. Ernie and his beloved wife Gloria (Agnew) were married in 1957 and settled in Wethersfield in 1960. They had three children. Sadly, Gloria passed away February 11, 1972. Ernie continued to live in Wethersfield as he raised his children. Each and every day, he talked about re-uniting with his love in heaven. In the 1980s and 1990s, Ernie found companionship with Jeanne Woodard, and they were married for 13 years. Ernie was a carpenter by trade, and he started his own business in 1975. He was the Contractor Supervisor for the construction of Fox Run Mall in Glastonbury, the rebuilding and renovation of the Wethersfield Post Office, and did many renovations for small businesses and residential homes while developing friendships with those he helped with his work. Ernie served on the Town of Wethersfield Zoning Committee, he was a head coach for Little League baseball for many years, always taking a full car load of players for ice cream after every game. He was a 50 year past member of Wethersfield Country Club, where he also made many repairs and renovations to the facility. He was a 50-year consecutive year member of Wethersfield's American Legion Post and was recently awarded an honorary membership. Ernie brought balance to his life as a member the BEL-AIRES band in the late 50's, 60's, and 70's. They were the top wedding and party band in the region with Ernie on drums, Billy "Cy" Ciotto on the accordion, Tony Matassa on bass and Johnny Prokopec on saxophone. Ernie was a devout Catholic and parishioner of The Church of the Incarnation, Wethersfield, attending weekly Mass faithfully up until the time of his passing. He, his wife Gloria and family, were one of many first families in the establishment of The Church of the Incarnation in the early 60's, with the first Mass in the new church in 1966. For seventy straight years, Ernie has participated in weekend retreats at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center since its inception in 1951 to receive the message of hope, spiritual growth and to further God's peace. He completed a one-day social distance virtual learning retreat a few weeks ago. Ernie leaves and has been so proud of his three children and daughter-in-law, Ernie Jr. and his wife Cara of Glastonbury; Ron of Fredericksburg, TX and Cara of North Augusta, SC. He also leaves his three adored grandchildren, Ernie III, currently in Washington DC, Christian and Justin, both of Glastonbury who have all affectionately called him Papa and continue to do so. He leaves his brother-in-law, Richard Agnew of Plano, TX and several nieces and nephews. Besides his wife Gloria, he was predeceased by his brother, Robert T. Andreoli and his wife Alice (Murtha) of Rocky Hill; his brother, John W. Andreoli, Sr. and his wife Mary (Trantolo) of Manchester and his brother-in-law, Harry Agnew of Boca Raton, FL. We know Ernie is at peace reuniting and enjoying a dance with Gloria in eternal heaven. Funeral services will be private. A celebration of Ernie's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ernie's memory may be made to the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, CT 06107, American Legion Post #23, 275 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109 or to a charity of your choice. The D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield has been entrusted with the arrangements. To share a memory of Ernie with his family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.