Ernest Francis D'Andria

Ernest Francis D'Andria, 85, passed away on September 20, 2007. He was born to Angelo and Carmelia D'Andria on December 18, 1921 in New York City. He graduated high school in New York City, and then as a young man, performed in various night clubs there. Ernie joined the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII where he was a flight engineer, and after the war he continued singing in New York night clubs, sometimes performing with Sophie Tucker. Ernie was Italian to the core, as evidenced by his singing and his love of food and cooking! He owned "Ernesto's Pizza Parlor" in NYC, then later moved to California where he worked in a number of Italian restaurants, and was the chef/owner of "The Oceana," an Italian restaurant in Long Beach and also owned "The Picnic" in Long Beach. Ernie retired from the restaurant business, moving to Palm Springs in 1970 where he invested in real estate, and bought and operated the La Riviera Motel with his son, Lee. Ernie will always be remembered by his many friends as being fun-loving and outgoing, who loved to entertain with dinner parties and song, and had the voice of an angel. Ernie is survived by his son, Lee D'Andria of Palm Springs; his daughters, Theresa D'Andria in California and Maria Vanhoon in Oregon; his grandson, Jarred Vanhoon; and many nieces and nephews. There will be a memorial service for the immediate family at a later date.