I remember Ernie very well as a young boy. I spent my summers in Fleischmanns New York as a child . There were several of us kids that came back  after year and we would play together. It was Maureen, Susan Rubin, Marvin, Elaine and me Madeleine Kleinman. I was wondering what happened to my old friends and did an internet search and I found this site. and I tried to reach out and find Linda, Earnie’s sister,  but unfortunately was not able to find her.  I will share my memory on this site and hopefully Earnie’s family will see this . 
Ernie was so much fun. He was kind of the leader of us kids. I had a crush on him.  We used to go hiking and there was a treehouse somewhere up on the hill side and we would make that our fort. Sometimes we would play Tarzan and Jane it was so much fun. One time in particular I remember we were goofing around by the pool in the backyard and Ernie threw me into the water. My 80-year-old grandfather happen to see this  and  not realizing it was all in fun ran over a shaking his cane at Ernie.Ernie jumped into the pool while my grandfather Sat on a chair waiting for him to eventually come out.  I laughed so hard and so did Earnie.  Eventually I explained to Grandpa it was all in fun.   I remember Earnie found a stray dog on the hillside, it was a big yellow dog that was very friendly Ernie kept the dog and named him Stranger. 
Earnie died much  too young.  I hope he did not suffer.  My memory of him stays with me  and so in a sense he lives on. He was part of my happiest childhood memories.  

I am thinking of you always. Your memory is always with me

Wow! I just found out today about Ernie's passing! Great guy and someone you could really get to love. We attended many antique shows together and he taught me a fair bit about Ancient antiques. I will miss him very much and hope his spirit is flying high! He will be sorely missed. He is painting forever now!

I MISS YOU Friend!! You Are always on My Mind, So many things we've done and places we've been, Just keep reminding Me of YOU.  I LOVE YOU Man!!   Forever Jim

Ernie, You're on my mind. Miss ya you crazy man.

Ernie was a unique individual and a good friend. I loved his stories and will greatly miss his bubbling personality.

To Nan & Steven, I am very sorry to hear of Ernest's passing. There won't be another one like him for a long time. I'll miss him very much. Dick Smith

To Nan, my sister, I am sorry for your loss with the passing of Ernie. I do remember the good times we had while Ernie lived in Syracuse. He was my best friend for many years and we had many good times.

I am saddened to learn of Ernie??Ts passing. Ernie was a friend in the truest sense of the word. He was more like a brother than a friend. We grew up in the Castle Hill projects in the Bronx. As a teenager through the many adventures with Ernie and the relationship I developed with him and his family I learned about things and went places I never knew existed.
Some Memories:
One of my first memories is sitting in the Lustig??Ts living room in their Castle Hill Avenue apartment and seeing the Beatles for the first time on the Ed Sullivan show. Ernie played the accordion back then. Inspired by the Beatles he learned to play guitar. Later on he became the bass player in a band. I think it was called the misfits. We went to Sam Ash??Ts music store in Manhattan where he bought a bass similar to Paul??Ts. He was always meeting people and making new friends. It was natural to him. One day he got us into Cousin Brucie??Ts studio to visit him on his radio show. The Cousin was promoting the Young Rascals then, just about the time they made it big.
I remember one day riding along Castle Hill Avenue in his father Bob??Ts station wagon. I don??Tt remember what Ernie had done wrong. Maybe Bob found out Ernie had snuck out with the car again without permission. I do remember Bob being very upset and saying, ""Ernie you Eeidiot, you Shityga Bongada!"" I understood the idiot part but what ever the other Yiddish words meant is still a mystery. 
Ernie was good at anything he put his mind to. He was an accomplished artist. He was good at sports whether it be golf, tennis, basketball or fishing. One day there was a basketball pickup game in the projects. Some sort of argument broke out the context of which I don??Tt recall. I do remember Ernie saying ??oHey, I??Tm the only one here who makes this game integrated???. Referring to the fact he was the only white player. He had a knack for saying the unusual.
I spent several summers with Ernie and his family up in Fleischmann??Ts NY. It was my first experience being out in the country. The weekends were spent chasing girls or fishing or playing tennis or helping in the family??Ts antique??Ts store. One summer there was this one girl that Ernie was dating, a voluptuous red head. He knew things were going well and he might score. Only one problem though, he needed protection. No, not from the girl??Ts family, he needed prophylactics. Fleishmann??Ts being a small town everyone knew who your parents were. Afraid he??Td be recognized Ernie didn??Tt want to go to the drug store to buy the condoms. So, he talked me into going to the store to make the purchase. I??Tll go so far as to say the condoms were a good investment.
Ernie was a good golfer. He was on the high school of Art and Design Golf team. He tried to get me interested in golf. One day we went to Ferry Point Park underneath the White Stone Bridge on the Bronx side. He brought a bunch of clubs and balls and gave me my first golf lesson. My one regret in life is I didn??Tt follow Ernie??Ts urging and take up the game then, as I am now an avid golfer.
After we graduated from Art & Design we got jobs as graphic artists. For a short time we both worked at the same design studio in New York City. During the summer we would leave work early on Friday get in my 63 Chevy and drive up to Fleishmann??Ts. Then we??Td drive back on Sunday night. There was one summer Alfredo Santos the artist took up residence in a house right on Main Street. Alfredo was working with wood back then. He??~d get stoned and like looking at Rorschach inkblots visualize images in the wood that he would paint. Ernie and Alfredo became good friends. I??Tve come to find out that Ernie had the foresight to acquire many Alfredo Santos paintings.
Nan, Steve and Linda I am sorry for your loss and ours. Though I??Tve been out of touch with Ernie for many years our friendship never waned. Whenever we would see each other we??Td just pick up where we left off. The last time I saw him he dropped in unexpectedly. That was Ernie. Whenever he had an idea he would act on it without tre

Dear Nan and Steven,
I never had the chance to meet Ernie personally, but have heard many stories, and seen many photos, through Linda and Jack. I know how difficult this time must be for you, and I pray that you may find comfort in the words of condolences extended to you, and in memories and love that live in your heart.  Please know that we are continuing to honor his memory here at Temple Tikvah in our weekly prayers.
wishing you strength and consolation,
Rabbi Randy Sheinberg

I will miss Ernie greatly. I learned alot from him. He was a fountain of knowledge about antiquities and history.  I will miss his energy and exuberance. I got to know him as a friend as well as a brother in law. I'll always remember him with Love.

Dear Nan and Steven,
I am sorry sorry to hear of Ernie's passing.  We send our deepest condolences and may you both find peace now.
Bea (Lustig) and Jeff Adler

Dear Nan and Steve:
I am Linda's sister-in-law.  I only met Ernie a couple of times, one of them being at Linda and Jack's wedding.  My family and I wish to express our deepest sympathies for your loss.  Linda has shared many stories and wonderful pictures of Ernie. I especially liked the picture of Ernie with long hair and a head band.  It is a very iconic photo.  May your memories bring you comfort.
Annette, Mark and Joshua

Working and occasionally playing with Ernie in the 70s in downtown Syracuse was always fun.  I remember reluctantly attending a concert with Ernie to see some guy from  Jersey that ever optimistic  Ernie claimed to be a potential star.
    Pretty good call Ernie, Bruce Springstein did okay!

Dear Nan and Steve
                 You know Ernie is  and will alway be in my heart.  I can't put all my feelings into words but I truly miss my crazy brother. He always meant alot to me.  I will never forget  all the great times we had together even how hectic they were.  The antique shows with you, ernie and me took alot out of me but they were worth it.  
                  Much love
                  Linda

I was sorry to hear about Ernie's death.  Very sorry.
Joe Bruno introduced me to Ernie in the 1960's and while it's next to impossible to take in the fact that it's been almost forty years since I last saw him, the one-of-a-kind phenomenon that Ernie was -- funny, insane, wild, bursting with life and, most unforgettably, willing to do damn near anything once the impulse seized him -- has stayed etched in my mind all these intervening years.  Just one recollection:  One extraordinary night in the summer of 1971, four of us were driving down a dirt road in upstate New York. There's no doubt that the beauty of the experience was heightened immeasurably by the effects of whatever mind-altering substance we all were on.  As we silently cruised along one particular stretch that was thick with trees, suddenly, out of nowhere, Ernie insisted that I shut off the headlights and keep on driving in the dark.  Amazingly enough  --Ernie's enthusiasms were hard to resist-- I did.  With the radio off, the only sound we heard was the tires against the unpaved surface.  With no moon that night, it was so utterly dark we could barely see the outline of the trees.  Driving in near silence through pitch-blackness was suicidally dangerous but also eerily moving.  As the car crawled ahead, our destination-free journey took on an almost spiritual glow. ""Wow, man.  Heavy,"" was the collective stoned reaction, with an awed emphasis on a long drawn-out ""wowwwwww.""   After a few minutes of this, Ernie shouted out that he'd just seen something dart across the road in front of the car.  Then with an almost religious fervor, he started ripping off his shirt, screaming: ""Doesn't this make you want to take off all your clothes and run around in this shit like an animal?""  By ""shit"" he meant ""the dark forest in the middle of the pitch-black night.""   While Ernie's enthusiasms were hard to resist, they were not impossible to resist.  No matter how high we were, for three of us the clear answer to his question was ""No.""  In fact, our answer was closer to ""Absolutely, positively NO.""  For Ernie, the only answer was ""Absofuckinlutely, YES.""  I think had we not restrained him from jumping out of the car, naked, he might still be running around out there.

We want to extend our condolences to the family. We met Ernie as customers in his Salina St store in the early 80's and I still have many pieces of jewelry we bought there -- all with lots of information about where the stones came from and how the pieces were made.  Visiting the store and spending time chatting was half the fun. To this day, every time I see certain pieces I think of Ernie, not just the anniversary or birthday that they were meant to commemorate.  It was a pleasure to have known him for the few short years before we lost touch with him when we moved from Syracuse for awhile. From reading the messages, it's clear that Ernie made a big impression on lots of people and will be fondly remembered for a long time.

Dear Nan & Steve,
I am very sorry to hear of these recent troubles.  I know it is hard to find any comfort in words.  I hope and pray that in time your sense of loss will lessen and your broken hearts find a way to mend.
Ernie was a great friend.  I first got to know him when I lived in Syracuse around 1993.  
Although I never had the opportunity to meet you, I learned about you from the obvious love and pride Ernie took in talking about you both.   
I met Ernie through the Westcott drawing classess and the subsequent gatherings that took place at my home in the University area after class.  He always spoke of his home life lovingly.
I was a proud memeber of the Nouveau Bohemian gathering that took place in his downtown storefront.  I would play my music.  Ernie would read his poetry...we all would make some noise and have many laughs.  It was a great excuse to get together and share our creative works with one another.  I will never forget those first few gatherings.  I think I still have the shirts that were made to commemorate the first few gatherings.  What a crazy crew we were.  We really knew how to have a laugh.  
I remebered those times fondly....it is difficult to now have to feel bittersweet about those memories.  I am lucky to have them.  I was lucky to have Ernie walk into my life and gain his friendship.  He brightened all of our lives.
I wish you both love and strength with your journeys ahead.  Ernie's memory inspires me to make the most of every moment I have, every sun that rises.  He was a great man, I am honored to have called him a friend.

Dear Nan and Steve: I have to say that Ernest's passing has left a gaping hole in my spirit. He was my favorite employer and one of the few jobs I have had where I learned more than ten college cources. I learned a lot from him and met many who also shared their kowledge with me. I still tell people of how we psychoanylized Sigmond Freud on a daily basis. I also enjoyed researching items and writing provenances. Some of my best memories of him were as freinds in the art scene and the adventures we had. Our trip to Boston will be forever etched in my memory. I still to this day have uncontrolable laughter when I think of that adventure which was ill planned and a wing it attitude.
  I have found that a lot of Ernest has rubbed off on me. I seem to use a lot of Yiddish which I learned mostly from Ernest as well as telling people about objects they have and their worth, age and value. He left a great impact on me and will be well remembered and missed.
Michael Cody

Nan & Steve   How does anyone say Goodbye to the most colorful Friend of more than 50 years. Ernie and I played & went to school as children, explored our teenage years together along with Good Friends as well as  in our twenties. We worked our way cross-country, Yes there were embarassing moments. We wound up in the North West  Territores working for the C.N. Railroad, long cold days and Months of isolation, We had buckskin jackets made for us, We wore those buckins everywhere for years. We shared Great Friends along the way and all through Life. Ernie made conversation and friends so easy. We shared an apartment in the Bronx for years,  and while we worked traveled and lived all over,  we kept sending the rent back because 1800 Davidson ave. was our home.   I worked in his Fathers Antique shop on Madison ave. in NYC. with Ernie for a short while on and off, I was amazed how much information Ernie knew about antique jewelry, But then again He was working with the best,and most renoun  His Father Robert and Uncle Frank Lustig, I was just the shlep who polished the Silver.   And Of course there was Fleishmans NY.  a wonderful country town in the Catkill Mtns. Ernies Parents family retreat & their country antique shop. Ernie always brought friends,    What memorable times we had as Children and Adults. Everyone in Fleishmans knew Ernie from a little Boy through his Manhood.      Ernie and I always exchanged Birthdays, One year we were travling and were between jobs, but like the guy Ernie is he gave me a present as always, It was the end of Sept. and it was getting Cool up North,   He explained this present meant as much to him as I did.   This sunk in later after the gift. Ernie gave me the Very Field Jacket He wore in Vietnam.     In vain I tried not to take it   but Ernie is persistant!  I wore that Special Jacket often very often, It meant alot to me too.   I did get him to take the jacket back years later.  I went  Back to the buckskin. I still have my bucksin jacket.     I'm sure like many Friends I have many stories to share about My Good FRIEND  Ernie. .  . .    NAN and STEVE:      My deepest regret and sorrow  go out to you both at this dark time,   Ernie always spoke of you BOTH with nothing but Love and Concern.  .  .  . Linda:  I have know you for as long as I have know your Brother and there is nothing that I can say to you to take away your Hurt, Just as it could never stop the Tears that will continue to come to NAN or STEVE. . We ERNIE,s Friends are wiping the tears from our faces as well, .  .  .  . Ernie you shall always be with us.  I love you Ernie!!! . .  . Your Friend Forever  and EVER *  Jim           * you pat moose meat! *

I remember meeting Ernie with the intent of starting and alternative event to the ??oSyracuse Area Music Awards???. This event would include artists and musicians that were non-mainstream and deserved recognition.  I??Tll always remember his immediate enthusiasm.  Memories of his thrill for the unconventional and its possibilities will always be with me.

Dear Nan and Steven,
I have been friends with Ernie's sister Linda since 1973 and have felt like a member of Linda's family ever since.  Although I only got to know you all on occasions such as Jack and Linda's wedding, once or twice in Fleischmann's, etc. I will never forget the night he took us all to some high point near Fleischmann's to watch the stars.  He seemed to live fully.  May the memories you cherish most sustain you.
Linda Royal, Antonio Ramos and Clara Ramos-Royal

Dear Nan and Steve,
  I??Tm so sorry for your loss. Our loss really. 
Ernie was a great friend for almost 60 years.
He was my first real friend. 
Ernie was bigger than life, voracious, fearless. I don??Tt
 think he was ever embarrassed or afraid to look foolish.
He had a singular imagination that was always working.
He was full of surprises. Up in Fleichmanns, NY 
we were down by a stream and Ernie bent over a rock
 jutting out into the water, put his arm in up to his shoulder 
and within a few seconds pulled out a fish the size of a football. 
A one hand catch. Voila! Dinner. He also did some of the 
dumbest shit I??Tve ever seen a human do, leaving us apoplectic with 
laughter. He laughed right along with us. He left us with so 
many memories. I loved that crazy mother f**ker. Thanks Ernie.
I owe you one.  Joe Bruno

Dear Nan and Steve,
Working with Ernie at Wilson's was a joy.He had an infectious laugh and smile.
He was a dedicated family man and a supportive friend.
He will be sorely missed.

It was a joy to see ernie bringing his creations to chuck's art shows, being a warm and funny man, and wheeling and dealing at the regional market around the time I started to be a book dealer.   Missing ernie from san francisco.  Best to the family.

I would like to extend my condolences  to Ernest's family. I am from Syracuse originally and, along with mutual friends, we participated in music and poetry together in the downtown store back in the early 90s. I have fond memories of Ernie and his kindheartedness and artistry. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. However, I'm very happy to have had time sharing the joy of artistic creation together and I send prayers and well wishes to  his family. He was a good man who gave a positive and warm vibration to many people.

Dear Nan & Steve,
I was shocked and very saddened to hear of Ernie's passing - he was a good friend, great fun and his humor and kinetic spirit filled every room he was in.  Ernie was one of those ""larger than life"" people who made every conversation a little more spirited, and every party a little richer in color.  I can still hear his voice with his NYC accent, and his big, joyful laugh.
I know he adored you both, he talked of you often and with the greatest pride and affection.  I still remember him proudly reading the poem Nan wrote about him, when you were both young and living out west - it was cowboy themed.  He loved that piece and read it many times.  Steven, I don't think there is father who was ever prouder and loved his son as much as your dad loved you.  He was enamored of your intelligence and character, and would regale us with tales of your childhood exploits at every opportunity!
Ernie is in my thoughts and prayers, as are both of you - words cannot convey my sadness and sympathy at your loss.  Please take care of yourselves, you are in my thoughts.
With warm affection,
Kristen Carpenter

Dear Nan and Steve, Our condolences on Ernie's passing. He was a fun guy and our paths crossed quite a few times over the years. He was always a bright spot in the day. Our thoughts are with you both.

Nan & Steve. Ernie was one of a kind, and there will never be another like him. I am at a loss over his untimely passing, I still somehow envision him pulling his old van up and climbing out with some Ernie-esque exclamation of celebration. Ernie was a hell of a guy, his energy alone was enough to power half the world.
 I am so sorry for your loss.

Dear Nan & Steve, I was very sorry and shocked to hear about Ernie. I read it in the Syracuse paper today. Kathy and I have very fond memories, especially from working in the bank building downtown and the parties at your house in the University. He was a great person and always a lot of fun to be around. Our thoughts go out to you both. Love, Dino & Kathy Centra

Mom and I love you very much, Dad. The man may have passed, but the true ""Mad Artist"" spirit shall never die!
""The King is gone but he's not forgotten""
-Neil Young

My deepest condolence...Sorry to hear about the lose of Ernie, he was a great man, and i will miss him dearly..my memories are shooting pool with him and Steve and riding around in the pink cadillac in Florida, and working with him in china town i will miss him very much, he was the best. God Bless

Dear Nan,
I was very surprised and saddened to hear of Ernie's passing. One is sometimes not conscious of the passing of time until an event such as this takes place.  Ernie was a great and loyal friend and I will never forget all the fun times we had together.  May I mention a few?  The infamous movie we made at Pete's house with you as director and cinematographer... the Halloween party at your house...the Morton Sobotnik concert...Ernie's 40th birthday party...I could go on and on.  But when I think of these things I always end up with a grin on my face.  He was truly One-of-a-Kind.  I will miss him.  I am so sorry for your loss.
Fondly, 
Christine Spier

Dear Nan & Steve, 
 I was very saddened to hear about Ernie. I always enjoyed Ernie. He was always to be counted on to bring a little bit of extra life to any occasion.
 He had a great eye and could floor me with the pieces he'd show at the OFD and Chuck's shows. He'd put a mat and frame on something and make one wonder who snuck the Matisse into the show. The unassuming made into a standout.
I'll miss him.
 My thoughts are with you.

OBITUARIO

Ernest M. Lustig

10 julio, 1947 – 3 julio, 2009

Allnutt Funeral & Cremation - Macy

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