Ernest Ernie Fochler

Portland – Ernest Edward Fochler, Jr., 79, of Yarmouth died on Thursday February 17, 2011 after many months of declining health. He was born in New York, NY on December 12, 1931, the son of Mildred (Dobrens) and Ernest Edward Fochler. Shortly after, the family moved to Falmouth and he was educated in Falmouth schools. Ernie served in the Us Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was a volunteer member of the Falmouth Fire Department for a number of years.

Ernie married Connie Chappell in 1960 and together they had five children. He worked as a mechanic for a number of trucking companies and on outboard motors as a side line. He will be remembered as a hard worker who enjoyed working with his hands. In his “spare” time he built wooden hobby boats and anything that was needed made out of wood. He enjoyed duck hunting, action movies and country music – the kind that truckers listen to. He loved the ocean and in later years could be seen at the Falmouth Town Landing feeding the gulls and watching the boats come and go. Most of all – he loved his family. In 1974 he married Barbara Jean Crosby and she predeceased in 2007.

“Big Ern-Pa and Bumpa” will be remembered by his family as a very caring and considerate man who was selfless, generous and had a good sense of humor that enjoyed teasing and being a flirt. He will also be remembered as a dependable father and passed it on.

Ernie is survived by his five children: his son Raymond E. Fochler and his wife Suzanne of Pownal and their children Corey Fochler, Nicole Fochler and Ryan Cleaves; his daughter Polly Davis and her husband Herb of Standish and their children Heather Cerrato and Ashley Brown; his son Scott Fochler of Gray and his daughters Noelle Fochler and Jessica Fochler; his son Dale Fochler and his girlfriend Sandra Grenier of Yarmouth; his son Richard Fochler of Yarmouth and his children Samantha Fochler, Andrew Fochler and Cooper Fochler; his stepsons Brian Bickford of Topsham and John Bickford of Standish; his sister Barbara Hobbs of Scarborough, seven great-grandchildren and his cat “Boo” who was of great comfort after Barbara’s passing.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday February 24, 2011 at 1:00 PM at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, ME 04096 with Rev. Philip Shearman officiating. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Ernie’s life and to share your condolences, memories and tributes with the Fochler Family.

For those who wish, donations may be made in Ernie’s memory to: American Heart Association, 51 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.