Ernesto Mario Derro

Born in Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur Philippines, Ernie was the eldest of three boys who were raised by their widowed mother.

Much of his childhood consisted of helping his mother care for his younger brothers, Meling and Franklin, while he was still attending school. In 1961, he earned his Mechanical Engineering Degree in MAPUA, and the following year, took the board exam and passed with flying colors.

While in the Philippines, he worked at Engineering Equipment Singer Company and Universal Corn Products as an Industrial Engineer.

Adding to his growing success, in 1964, he married the love of his life, and would be wife of 52 years-Rosalina Abalos. Together, they had 2 wonderful children-William and Ireene. Through the years, the family grew to include Christy, his loving daughter in law, and Scot, his dependable son in law.

Early in 1966, Ernie and Rose migrated to the United States. With his unending love and gratitude for his mom, the couple was able to petition his mother, and his brothers followed soon after. Their move to the US landed Ernie an opportunity to work for General Electric Company as Senior Engineer Nuclear Design, and after 29 years of his loyalty and dedication to his career, he retired in 1995. Since the company (GE) couldn’t get enough of him, they asked Ernie to return in 1996 as a Consultant that lasted a year; after which he finally was able to enjoy the fruit of all his hard labor.

Ernie spent most of his retirement years traveling the globe with his partner-in-crime. From cruises, to walking the Great Walls of China, and sailing in the freezing waters of Alaska, Ernie definitely lived his life to the fullest, along side the person he loved the most-Rose.

Aside from traveling, Ernie also loved to sing, play the piano and guitar, gardening, attending and dancing at different events to which he was an active member of different organizations, and caring for his pets-even the stray squirrels and birds in his backyard; but his absolute favorite hobby of all was babysitting and spoiling his grandchildren: KK, Ty Ty, Kai, Nik Nik, JJ and his great grandchild Kailee.

Many of you are here today to bid him farewell, and it is a testament of how Ernie was truly adored and loved by his friends and family.

To have lost Ernie is heartbreaking for all of us, most especially for his children, William and Ireene;

and to Ernie’s one and only Rose… let me leave you with the love of your life’s favorite quote by Robert Sexton…

“And we shall walk through all our days

with love remembered and love renewed."