Ernest W. Drost, Jr., Age 79, Essex Junction, VT

Ernest W. Drost, Jr. (Ernie) passed on to his Lord and Savior on January 2nd 2017 after a short battle with cancer at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, VT. Ernie was a graduate of Ayer High School in Massachusetts, class of 1955, after which he joined the Army in 1956 and served his country in Korea. Upon return, after serving for two years with Honorable discharge, Ernie married his high school sweetheart, Rose Wood in 1958. They resided in Ayer, MA where 4 children were born and raised until 1973. During that time he served as a police officer for 13 years on the Ayer Police Force and was honored at one point for saving a boy from drowning.
He was always active in athletics in school playing football and baseball thru high school, and then went on to start and coach Pop Warner football and Little League baseball and softball in Ayer, MA. Ernie also acted as Recreational Director for two years and was active with the Boy Scouts of America. Being from the Boston area, he was a devoted Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics fan. Ernie continued his coaching in Essex Junction, VT coaching girls softball.
Ernie started working at IBM in Concord, MA as a printer until the Concord plant closed in 1973, at which time he transferred to the IBM plant in Essex Junction, VT, working there until his semi-retirement in 1992 after 31 years of employment. Still young, Ernie started and operated his own property maintenance business until his full retirement in 2002.
Upon retirement, he and Rose enjoyed traveling to Florida for a few months during the winter to visit Rose’s sister Emilie. In addition throughout all their years, they enjoyed summer trips to Hampton Beach, NH, the Maine shore, and especially trips to his favorite family vacation spot, Lake Winnipesaukee, NH. There were also many trips back to Ayer, MA to visit family.
Ernie was a member of the First Congregational Church in Essex Junction, VT, the Essex Area Senior Citizens, and the Essex Junction chapter of the V.F.W.
In addition to Rose, his wife of 58 years, he is survived by Son David and his partner Trois of Goffstown, NH; daughter Christine and husband Warren Hathaway of Ticonderoga, NY; daughter Mary and husband Joseph Motto of Westford, VT; son Allan and wife Carrie of Essex Junction, VT. Ernie enjoyed his 7 beautiful grandchildren; Heather Rose and husband Robert Austin, Heidi and husband Pierre Bordeleau, Erik Plosila and partner Krystal Mongeon, Alyssa Hathaway, Carli and Aaron Motto, and Ciara Drost.
Ernie was also blessed with 5 great grandchildren; Elizabeth, Abigail, and Robert, Jr. Austin, Logan Plosila, and Emma Bordeleau.
Ernie is survived by his sisters Margaret Peura, Beverly and husband Frank Andre, sister in-law Kay Wood, and many nieces and nephews.
Ernie was predeceased by his parents Ernest, Sr. and Arlene Drost; his sister Doris Snow; brother-in-law Howard Wood; sister-in-law Emelie Gionet; and nephews Robert Peura and Jeffery Snow.
A celebration of life will be held at 3pm on Saturday, January 14th 2017 at the First Congregational Church, 39 Main Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452. A graveside service will be held on Saturday April 29, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ayer, Massachusetts. A reception will follow at 2:00 p.m. at The Federated Church in Ayer, MA.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, VT or the Federated Church of Ayer, MA