Ernest V. Prioste "Ernie"

Ernest V. Prioste of Santa Clara, CA, died peacefully at the age of 94 on April 24th, 2014 at the White Blossom Care Center in San Jose, CA. “Ernie” was hospitalized with pneumonia on March 17th and was transferred to the White Blossom Care Center for rehabilitation on March 24th. He was recovering well for the first 2 weeks, but then the pneumonia came back and his failing heart eventually led to his death. Ironically, Ernie’s brother, Joe, passed away a month earlier on March 19, 2004 at the age of 96 in Cornville, AZ. Ernie had a great life and was doing well until his beautiful dancing partner, Jennie Gallucci, passed away, only 2 months earlier, on Feb. 22, 2014 at the age of 90. Their love story started in 1996 at the American Legion Dance, Post 419 in Santa Clara. They took care of each other, and they had wonderful times dancing each week until Jennie started having health problems in 2013. Now, they are together, "dancing with the stars". Ernie was born in San Jose, CA, on Jan. 31st, 1920 in San Jose, CA to immigrant parents Joe Vierra and Mary Vascomalos Prioste from the Madeira Islands in Portugal. His parents precede him in death in Jan. 3, 1964 and Oct. 17, 1969, respectively. Also, preceding him in death was his wife, Dorothy, in March 17, 1994, and his two sisters, Mary (Aug. 17, 1986) and Carolyn (Nov. 5, 2007). Ernie is survived by his son, Jerry, and daughter, Judie. He is also survived by his Granddaughter, Tanya Elizabeth Prioste, Grandson, Daniel Aaron Prioste, Great Grandson, Jaren Prioste Figueiredo, Great Granddaughter, Anjali Prioste Figueiredo, Nephews, Jack, Mike, Richard, and Larry Prioste. Ernie is a WW II Veteran, a member of the 957th Field Artillery Battalion. His division landed in France on D-Day and he was in the Battle of the Bulge and finally Germany in the final days of the war witnessing the horrors of the concentration camps. Following the war, Ernie worked as a supervisor at the Paper Mill. He did very well owning and renting a rooming house on 64 N 19th St. He has been a member of the American Legion since 1955 and was also a member of the VFW, Post 3982. Ernie was an excellent dancer and very generous to everyone. He invited all his friends and family to birthday parties for him and his children with dinner and dancing at the American Legion. His last birthday party was on his birthday, Jan. 31st, 2014 where he danced all night and he even danced with a Belly Dancer. One of his friends, “Charly”, writes, “Ernie enriched my life greatly....as he has enriched so many lives....with his wonderful spirit, his joy of life, and his deep love of his family. Ernie was always the good looking man on the dance floor, always dressed to perfection. Clearly, he was an icon at the Senior Center dances…the person I always looked for first! And he made me feel so special!“ Ernie, our dear father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend – we love you and will miss you forever! You are always in our hearts with the happy memories you have left us. You are free to experience the joys that await you in heaven and to dance again with the stars of your life. There will be a Memorial Service at the Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary on Thursday, May 15th at 11 AM, 466 N Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara, CA.