Ernest Johnson Sr.

Ernest "Ernie" Johnson, Sr., 74, died peacefully Monday, January 20, 2025, at his home in East Hartford. He was born in Bristol on February 24, 1950, to Patricia (Van Allen) Shaffer and Harold Johnson, Sr. Left to cherish his memory are his fiancée Brenda Chambers; his daughter Sharell Gadson; his daughter Deena Swatzie; his daughter Jennifer and her husband Oliver Moore; his son Ernest Jr. and his wife Joanna; his fiancée's son Raymond Dogans and his wife Natalie; his 7 beloved grandchildren Brianna, Maisie, Danielle, Bryson, Ernest III, Zoe, and Winnie; his fiancee's grandchildren, Nyasia, Dejahlee, Janya, Kaleb, Talia and Madison; and his precious great-grandchildren Amaision, Nevaeh, and Keilani. He is also survived by siblings Michele Carter; Ellen Williams and her husband Don; Stephanie Santos and her husband Silverstre; Debbie Anderson; Gregory Henry and his wife, Elizabeth; Leslie Curtis; Vivian Pasela; Denise Amero and her husband Jeff; Francine Shaffer; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Patricia (Van Allen) Shaffer; his father Harold Johnson, Sr.; his stepfather Raymond Shaffer, Sr.; his stepmother Emma "Belle" Johnson; his sister, Jacqueline "Jackie" Lancelin; his sister Sunda Ward; his brothers Harold Johnson, Jr.; Grant Shaffer; Raymond Shaffer, Jr., John Shaffer; and Craig Shaffer. Ernie graduated from Bulkeley High school in 1968 and joined the Air Force, where he proudly served his country for four years during the Vietnam War. He worked at Gerber Scientific in Tolland for over 20 years, until retiring in 2019. Ernie found his greatest joy and fulfillment in his roles as brother, father, grandfather, and uncle. He was known for his great sense of humor and relaxed, easy-going nature. Ernie loved being around kids and attended many football, basketball, and baseball games to cheer on and encourage his own kids as well as many of his nieces and nephews. Physical frailty after his retirement limited his capacity to attend kids' games and school events in later years, but his kids and grandkids were always foremost in his heart and were always the great pride and joy of his life. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Carmon Windsor Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Avenue in Windsor. His family will receive guests for calling hours at the funeral home from 10:00-11:00 am. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ernest, please visit our floral store.