Ernest Wester

Alder Creek - Ernest Wester, 86 of Egypt Road, passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, May 15, 2011, at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Utica. Ernie, son of Hugo and Hedwig Wester, was born in Nutley, NJ, on May 23, 1924. He grew up in Nutley, graduating from Essex County Vocational High School, Newark, NJ. He entered the US Army in WWII, and served in the 3430th Ordnance Maintenance Co. in the Pacific Theater, stationed in the Aleutian Islands. He earned an honorable discharge in 1946. After serving his country, he was employed as a tool and die maker in New Jersey. On June 6, 1947, Ernie met Marie V. Larkin on a hike sponsored by the Interstate Hiking Club and they married within a year. Ernie built a home in North Haledon, New Jersey and for many years they drove to the Adirondacks to hike, ski or canoe. In 1957 they moved to Alder Creek so they could be nearer the mountains and lakes they loved. Ernie and Marie were married 50 years until her death in 1998. For 30 years, he was employed at Mele Manufacturing of Utica, and retired as machine shop foreman in 1987. Ernie was also a skilled woodworker, and enjoyed many relaxing hours paddling the hand-made wooden canoe he built. In recent years he turned fine wooden bowls on the lathe in his basement workshop. Ernie spent a lifetime hiking, camping, paddling and skiing; first with his father and brothers in New Jersey, and later with the Interstate Hiking Club. For many years Ernie and Marie were members of the Tramp and Trail Club of Utica, and he often served as a trip leader on hikes, bike trips, canoe paddles, and cross-country ski excursions. They enjoyed not only these activities but also the camaraderie at their breakfasts, dinners and weekend camping trips. Ernie was an "ADK 46'er", having hiked the 46 highest peaks in the Adirondacks between 1944 and 1985. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Carl Wester and Elizabeth Riggs, in Seattle WA; two daughters, Janet Wester, in Collingswood, NJ, and Donna Wester, in Frankfort, NY, a grandson, Justin Reans, and granddaughter, Laura Reans, and a sister-in-law, Marion Wester, in Georgia. He was predeceased by his brothers, Walter and Henry. A memorial service will be held at 10 am, Saturday, May 28, at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 124 Schuyler St. in Boonville. A potluck reception at the Parish Hall will follow. Donations can be made in his memory to The Erwin Library or to the Adirondack Nature Conservancy.