Ernest Bolognani

Ernest Gerardo Bolognani died April 17 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, surrounded by family. He was 92. Ernie was born on March 27, 1934 at the Readsboro Hospital to Teresa and Gerardo Bolognani. He attended the Readsboro Grade School. In 1952, he graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in North Adams, MA. He fondly remembered playing the drum in the Readsboro Band.

After completing a bachelor’s in business administration from St. Michael’s College in 1956, he returned to Readsboro. In 1957, he served for a short time as town treasurer and then represented Readsboro in the Vermont Legislature.

He was drafted into the army in 1959, during the Cold War, and served in Germany. There he met Kunigunda “Gundi” Dumproff, whom he married on August 12, 1961. Following an honorable discharge from the Army in 1961, Gundi and Ernie moved to Readsboro.

Ernie worked for the Vermont Hardwoods Furniture Factory as a finishing room and shipping foreman. He later worked for the Deerfield Glassine Paper Company as paymaster. Ernie served for a short time with the New England Power Company accounting department, during the building of the Bear Swamp project. His final employment was with Yankee Atomic Electric Company, as an engineering assistant in the maintenance department. During this period, he also served as village bailiff and school board member for eight years. Ernie and his brother, James, owned and operated the Readsboro Inn and Jerry’s Hardware Store from 1960 to 1992.

He was the last surviving charter member of the Readsboro Lions Club, having been a member since 1957. He was heavily involved in developing the Lions Park and served as Lions president, treasurer, and club photographer. He also received the highest Lions honor, the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. He was a member of the American Legion and a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. Ernie was very proud of his Italian heritage and was a lifelong Trentina Society member. He loved connecting with relatives and marinating chickens at the annual Maroni family reunion.

Ernie was an altar server at St. Joachim’s Church from childhood until his 90s. He also served as a lector and could always be found cleaning, organizing, and fixing things at his beloved church. Ernie lived a life of dedication and service. He supported his family, church, and community with love and hard work.

Ernie grew amazing raspberries, and every year saved seeds and grew beautiful nasturtiums. He loved working outside and sharing a good joke or witticism. He looked forward every year to going to deer camp with the boys, playing cards, and eating a hearty chicken and polenta dinner. On Lake Sadawga in Whitingham, Ernie and his father cleared trees and built a summer cottage that would be the delight of many relatives through the decades. At “the camp,” Ernie taught his children and grandchildren how to fish, toss a baseball, drive the motor boat, and start a fire for family cookouts.

Ernie is survived by his wife Kunigunda; daughter Tina Rampone; son-in-law Mark Rampone; and three granddaughters, Abigail Rampone, Katherine Rampone (husband Liam Marsh), and Sophia Rampone. He was predeceased by his son Andrew; his parents; and four siblings, Clarinda (Quin) Howard, Mary Cropley, James Bolognani, and Rita Marchegiani.

His funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, April 25 at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church. Donations in his memory may be made to St Joachim’s Church, the Readsboro Lions Club, or a charity of your choice in care of Flynn & Dagnoli Montagna Funeral Home, 74 Marshall Street, North Adams, MA, 01247. To add to the book of memories go to www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.