Ernie Rudolph Martin

The large extended family and many friends of Ernie Martin lost the kindest and most gentle of men on March 30, 2016. Ernie was born in Lynn, WI in 1930 and raised on a dairy farm near Port Edwards, WI, providing him with a lifetime supply of stories and tall tales, many of them about ‘Ol Doc, his favorite workhorse who could “pull cars out of ditches and jump across Moccasin Creek.” After World War II his family moved to Fontana, CA where Ernie graduated from Chaffey High School and Chaffey College. An avid athlete, he played baseball in high school, college, and for years beyond. He served two years in the Navy during the Korean War, worked in the grocery business for 10 years, and later became a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service. Being outside, talking to people, looking out for seniors that lived alone were all a joy for him. When he retired from the USPS on a Friday, he started a new job Monday morning. His last job was at Costco. Believing that work should be a pleasure, he worked for 72 years, retiring at 84, just a few weeks before he was diagnosed with cancer. His family meant everything to him. A more loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and uncle cannot be found. He was never too tired to play baseball or basketball or go for a run or a swim with his kids. Scouts? Sports? Any extra-curricular event? Ernie attended every event he could for his children and grandchildren. He was a favorite uncle for his many nieces and nephews, many of whom love to share their classic Uncle Ernie stories. “The more the merrier” was his maxim about guests and he was happiest when his home was filled with family and friends. Service to others was a guiding principle for Ernie and he volunteered for numerous organizations throughout his life. Dedicated to the Catholic Church, he served as a Eucharistic minister and was an active, lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a Cub Scout Master while his three sons were in Scouts and continued to serve as Cub Scout Master long after his sons were too old for Scouts. Being outdoors, enjoying fresh air, and exercising were important to Ernie. Walking his mail route each day was not enough for him. He often came home and went for a run or a swim to make sure he got some exercise. His favorite way to start his day, almost daily for the past 17 years, was hiking Cerro San Luis, making many friends along the way. He continued to hike regularly through much of his battle with cancer. He credited fresh air, exercise, and, best of all, conversations with his friends on the “mountain” with keeping him young. Ernie is survived by his wife of 55 years, Cathy; his sister Henrietta; his children and spouses: Ernie and Tammy; Debbie and Joe; Kevin and Patricia; Donald; Cindy; 5 grandchildren: Elizabeth, Avery, Alexandra, Andrew, and Samantha; numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and his faithful hiking buddy, his dog Rojo. Ernie is preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Frances, and his siblings, Julie, Mary, Stanley, Tony, Nell, Victoria, Bill, and Henry. His legacy to us all is to be humble, never say an unkind word about another, give others the benefit of the doubt, look out for each other, start each day with a smile, never know a stranger, be gentle and kind. In lieu of flowers, please have a mass celebrated in Ernie’s memory or make a donation to Wilshire Hospice. Rosary at Reis Mortuary, Thursday, April 7 @ 6 p.m. Funeral Mass at Old Mission Church, Friday, April 8 @ 1 p.m. Reception to follow. Celebration Hike @ Cerro San Luis, Saturday, April 9 @ 10 a.m. Meet at the Marsh St. Trailhead, weather permitting.

Ernie Rudolph Martin

April 1, 1930 - March 30, 2016