Ernest L. Ciardelli

MILFORD - Ernest L. "Babe" Ciardelli, 93, lifelong resident of Milford, died peacefully on June 4, 2015, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Milford on March 24, 1922, a son of Eugenio and Nicoletta (Carpentieri) Ciardelli.

He graduated from Milford High School in 1940 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. He trained at Fort Custer in Michigan and left for England in 1943 as a truck driver attached to the 466th Truck Regiment. He was transferred to the 3612nd Quartermaster Refrigeration Company and in July 1944, he landed at Utah Beach, France. For nearly two years he operated from Cherbourg, LeHavre and Antwerp, taking supplies to the front-line troops throughout France, Belgium and Czechoslovakia. Cpl. Ciardelli was honorably discharged on Nov. 24, 1945.

Babe started Ciardelli Fuel Company in 1957 with his nephew, "Chick." Together they were well known as "The Birds to Call" and it has remained a family owned business to this day. He was the family patriarch fondly known as the "Big Parmesan" and was an extremely passionate sportsman and outdoor enthusiast.

He was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church, Milford.

Babe was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Ethel M. "Tooty" (VonIderstine) Ciardelli, who died in 2009; four brothers, Albert "Bam" Ciardelli, Mario "Muvvy" Ciardelli, Raymond "Deo" Ciardelli and Eugene "Tedo" Ciardelli; four sisters, Olivia Shea, Doris Cassidy, Alice Sullivan and Ida Cahill.

A loving and devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Tom and Andrea Ciardelli of Hanover, Mike and Heather Ciardelli of Milford, Jim Ciardelli and wife Nancy White of Emmet, Idaho; four grandchildren, Matthew Ciardelli and wife Elizabeth, Andrew Ciardelli and wife Kelly, Anthony Ciardelli and wife Jamie, and Lillian Ciardelli; three great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Bryan and Daniel.

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SERVICES: The family will receive friends at Babe's home on Wednesday, June 10, from 2 to 7 p.m., at 467 Nashua St., Milford. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. in Riverside Cemetery, 454 Nashua St., Milford.

Donations in his memory may be made to Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301, or online at www.wildlife.state.nh.us/nongame/donate.html.

Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm St., Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.