Ernest "Ernie" Sciarpelletti

Ernest Sciarpelletti
January 25th 1932 - August 27th 2024
Former owner of the Bubbling Brook Restaurant, Westwood
Ernest (Ernie) Sciarpelletti, age 92, of Boynton Beach Florida, formerly of Westwood and Dedham Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2024, in the comfort of his home in Boynton Beach. His guardian angel and partner of 37 years Karen Ullman, his devoted friend Matthew Carty and his sweet dog Marley were by his side during his final days. His departure is a tremendous loss for all who knew him. Ernie was the longtime proprietor of the Bubbling Brook Restaurant in Westwood. The community and world were blessed with his presence.
Ernie was born a first generation American in Dedham, Massachusetts on January 25,1932. He was the devoted son of Nicola Capozzi Sciarpelletti (fondly known as "Sharpy"), who emigrated as a child from Avellino, Italy, with her siblings and parents. The family started a successful bakery business in Dedham. He was predeceased by his four loving siblings Americo Sciarpelletti, who died serving his country in WWII, his sisters Mary Frazier and her late husband Al and Elsie Bothwick and her late husband Ed, and Joseph Sciarpelletti and his surviving wife Dorothy. He was also predeceased by his niece and much-loved goddaughter, Mary Ellen Vargas.
An entrepreneur from an early age, Ernie's love of cooking and entertaining inspired him to dedicate his life to a career as a restaurateur. In high school and after graduation, Ernie worked at the Windmill Restaurant in Dedham until he was drafted by the army at age twenty. He served two years of active duty from 1952-1954, including more than a year of deployment in Korea during the war. Helping to support his family was always a priority for Ernie and even as a young soldier he contributed by sending wages home. He left the army with an honorable discharge, two bronze stars and the rank of sergeant.
Starting out on his own after his military service, Ernie worked at the Bubbling Brook Restaurant in Westwood (the former Windmill) for the Ingraham family. He saved his money and astutely invested in real estate in surrounding towns. He used his earnings to purchase his first restaurant, Table for Two, in Plainville, Massachusetts where he cultivated his passion for creating crowd pleasing, high quality fare. It was here that he started his tradition of providing excellent homemade food and personalized service that became a hallmark throughout his career.
After selling Table for Two, Ernie worked as manager at Bubbling Brook, and then purchased the restaurant from Hazel Ingraham in the early 1970's. The Brook became a true family restaurant - Ernie provided job opportunities for three generations of family members and modeled his values of hard work, integrity, honesty, generosity, customer service and high standards for all his employees.
Ernie welcomed so many relatives as employees that it wasn't uncommon to have the restaurant staffed with some combination of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles working the same shift. Family members always had a job if they needed one and were held to a high standard, one that instilled self-respect and a strong work ethic. He created a space for his relatives to bond together in a unique way - one of his grandnieces even met her husband, a co-worker, there.
As a seasonal restaurant, Bubbling Brook also provided thousands of summer jobs over the decades for local young adults, many of whom he mentored and maintained valued friendships with throughout his life. Every March-October season Ernie worked fifteen-hour days, seven days a week - all the while motivating his employees to be their best selves. And amidst the fast-paced work of cooking (often with grandnephew Scott at his side) and serving dining room patrons and throngs of ice cream lovers lined up across the parking lot, Ernie inspired a genuine camaraderie among all his employees. Bubbling Brook was widely and fondly known for miles around, and Ernie developed a fan base of "regulars" who frequented the restaurant not just for the fare, but for friendships.
When he wasn't working, Ernie always had time for family, taking his nieces and nephews for fun day outings, and even to the New York World's Fair. He taught his sister Elsie to drive, and was always there to support whichever family member needed him. His winter home in Boca Raton, Florida was a gathering place for family, friends and employees from all over - "Come on down" was his frequent refrain; younger generations learned to swim in his pool.
Ernie wasn't only an excellent restaurateur; he was skilled in a wide range of activities, from wallpapering to building backyard brick barbecues, and everything in between, and was always eager to lend a hand to others with their projects. He also enjoyed traveling - visiting relatives in Italy and delighting his nephews and nieces when he brought home a vintage Rolls Royce from England.
Ernie moved permanently from his longtime home in Westwood to his home in Boca Raton, Florida when he sold the Bubbling Brook in 2003. Before moving to his final home in Boynton Beach, Ernie also lived in Roswell, Georgia and South Palm Beach, Florida.
Ernie is remembered, even by people who only knew him briefly, as a kind, generous, open-hearted human being who welcomed everyone, and would do anything for them. He was an extremely humble man, shying away from recognition of his many achievements and contributions. He developed lifelong friendships that were incredibly important to him, and to those he befriended. He would move mountains for his family and friends, and all those who loved him would do the same for him.
Although Ernie never had children of his own, he was a beloved son, brother, uncle, mentor, "second father" and devoted friend to countless relatives, employees and wonderful people he met throughout his lifetime. It is impossible to list all the dear friends he leaves behind, but you know who you are. Ernie's last words were words of love for all his friends and family.
Ernie is survived by his loving nieces and nephews: Dorothy Perchard (late husband Jerry); Belinda Bothwick, Dana Bothwick, Jay Bothwick and his wife Kathy, Glenn Bothwick, and Lisa Bothwick (m. Wilson); Janice Hallam and her husband Timothy, Diana Baga and her husband Gerry, Deborah, and Joseph Sciarpelletti and his wife Justina.
He also leaves his cherished grandnieces and nephews Jennifer Hix and her husband Dean, Michelle Geehan and her husband Patrick, Christopher Perchard and his wife Corrinne; Scott Hughes and Kelly Grasso;
Renee Vargas; James, Jordan and Nicola Bothwick; Justine Johnson; Dylan and Hattie Wilson; Timmy Hallam, Cheryl, Jacqui Tunks, Clara Lincoln, Jeremiah Hallam and Andy Hallam; Diana Baga's children Chiara, Zachary, Mireya and Collin; Siena and Mia Sciarpelletti.
Ernie also leaves twenty-five (25) great-grandnieces and nephews and three great-great-grands.
As in life, Ernie didn't want any fuss or recognition after death, but it is only appropriate that we let people know such a beautiful man has left the world. In lieu of services and in memory of Ernie, please perform an act of kindness in his honor.