Ernest Joseph Gniadek

ERNEST JOSEPH GNIADEK

Ernest Joseph Gniadek, 83, of 6106 Inland Greens Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina, died Sunday morning, 13 November 2011, at his home, with his family and under the care of hospice. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen C. Gniadek who passed on July 29, 1999 at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center, as well as both of his parents and all four of his brothers.

Ernest and his wife, Helen C. Gniadek, were the proud parents of six children: Linda Marie Gniadek of Wilmington, Michael Joseph Gniadek of Boone, North Carolina (spouse Kathy Evans), Patricia Anne Gniadek, Joseph Patrick Gniadek (spouse Elizabeth Brown), both of Wilmington, Matthew Francis Gniadek of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Charlotte Collins 'Lottie' Arnold (spouse, David Arnold) also of Wilmington.

Ernest is survived by his six children and seven grandchildren: Christina Wendorf, Patrick Wendorf, Joseph Edwin "Jed" Gniadek , Mary Catherine "Flynn" Gniadek, Matthew Alexander "Max" Gniadek, Helen Catherine "Cate" Arnold, and George Henry Gniadek, as well as two great-grandchildren Alyssa and Nicholas Martinez, all of whom reside in the Wilmington area.

Mr. Gniadek was born on July 18, 1928, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the youngest son of Joseph and Katherine S. Gniadek. He is a 1946 graduate of Pittsfield High School, was employed as an apprentice draftsman for the General Electric Co (GE). of Pittsfield, Mass, joined the US Navy, and was stationed at the Naval Ordinance Test Station in Inyokern Ca.

On July 18, 1957, Ernest J. Gniadek married the former Helen Catherine Flynn the daughter of John M and Charlotte C. Flynn of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

During the following 50 years, he worked for New England Telephone Co., Friendly Ice Cream Co., and was an apprentice electrician.

Ernest was transferred with GE to Wilmington in January of 1971, going to work as an expediter for the Nuclear Reactor business located here at that time, and later as a machinist for the GE Aircraft Engine group which he joined upon its arrival in the early 1980's. Ernest retired in 1993 after a 40 year career with GE, having worked at GE Pittsfield in both the Power Transformer and Distribution Transformer departments and also at the Naval Ordinance plant located there.

In retirement he and Helen travelled extensively with family and friends. An avid golfer Ernest enjoyed watching, playing and passing the game along to his children.

Above all, Ernest was a devout Catholic, a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather.

An evening vigil will be held at St. Mark's Catholic Church on Eastwood Road, Thursday, November 17, 2011. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00PM, the Rosary will follow from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. A funeral mass, will be celebrated by Father Steven Carlson at St Mark's Catholic Church on Friday, November 18, 2011, at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow in the church parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice.



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