Obituary of Ernest C. Townsend

Rotterdam, NY Ernest C. Towsend, 94, passed away on Friday May 1, 2020 at the Schenectady Center for Rehab & Nursing after a brief illness and within just hours of bidding his beloved wife and his adored dog, good-bye. Ernie was born in Schenectady, NY on August 18, 1925 to the late Charles E. and Agnes Chalmers Townsend. Ernie attended Schenectady Schools and graduated from the former Draper High School. He was enrolled at Union College with plans to become an architect, when he was called to service in WW II. He proudly served his country in the US Army as a medic and registrar of a base hospital. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He met and married his soulmate and wife, Florence M. Nagle in 1958. They celebrated 62 years together in January of this year. Ernie served his community as a Rotterdam Patrolman for several years before relocating to Florida where he retired from Braniff International Airlines. Ernie and Florence vacationed in Tenessee, fell in love with the Great Smoky Mountains and bought a small motel which they co-owned and managed for several years. It was during this time that Ernie was elected Police Commissioner of the Town of Townsend. They then moved on to accept positions with La Quinta Hotels and moved to St. Louis where they manged a large Hotel for many years. They retired back to Schenectady in 1994. Ernie then worked for Clarke Couriers and Washington Inventories. He and Florence enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, Central and South America. In his younger years Ernie was an avid bowler, bowling in several local leagues. He also enjoyed playing Scrabble was was very accomplished at it even into his 90’s. Ernie loved the bred of Boxer dogs and raised several Boxers, one of which was a National Kennel Club ribbon winner. Ernie was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother. He was always a soft-spoken gentleman. Besides his parents, E He was predeceased by his eldest son Jeffrey E. Townsend in 2018; a brother Charles Townsend and a sister Gracelyn Schmidt. He is survived by his wife Florence; children: Thomas S. Townsend, Esq. (Angela) of Missouri and Sharon Ann Relyea of Amsterdam, NY; grandchildren, Charles and Veronica Townsend; his sister, Sylvia Schmidt, dear niece, Alicia Mavente, his favorite sister-in-law, Rut Townsend as well as his adored Boxer dog, Jackson. Ernie was undergoing therapy at the Schenectady Center when the Covid-19 virus struck and he became unwittingly quarantined there. Florence and his family wish to thank the Schenectady Center for their excellent care given by his therapists, aides, nurses and Dr. Miza. Due to the restrictions that are in place because of the Covid Virus, funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. Interment will take place at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery with full military honors.