Ernest "Ernie" R. Cretaro

Ernie was born on October 10, 1924 in Canastota, New York, to Alfonso and Mary (Capparelli) Cretaro. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Gertrude Clum Cretaro. They were married on May 31, 1948 in Ithaca, New York.

He is also survived by his three children, Ronald Cretaro of Lee, Massachusetts, Robert “Sam” (Brenda) Cretaro of Pekin and Anne (Larry) Adams of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; four grandchildren, Jesse Cretaro of Tarzana, California, Amy (Alessandro) Sontuoso of Fullerton, California, Jason (Ashley) Adams of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Marcus Adams of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania; four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves a brother-in-law, John Ivan (Gloriene) Clum of Sun Lakes, Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Louis (Helen) Cretaro and twin brother, Edward (Josephine) Cretaro, both of Canastota, New York and sister-in-law, Helen (Warren) Crandall of Unadilla, New York.

Ernie grew up in Canastota, New York. His home was across the street from the historic Erie Canal. He attended Canastota High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He and his brother, Ed, enlisted and served together with the United States Army 3rd Infantry Division during World War II, serving in North Africa, Italy, participating in the Battle of Anzio, and France, Germany and Austria. Ernie and his twin brother, Eddie, were often mistaken for each other during their lives.

After World War II, Ernie continued his college career courtesy of the GI Bill at Ithaca College in New York. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from Ithaca College in 1948. It was at Ithaca that he met Gertrude Clum, also a physical education student, who he was to marry. His collegiate football playing career ended with a back injury. He later attended Syracuse University beginning his post-graduate work.

After receiving and moving to a teaching position in Pekin in 1948, he earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Bradley University in 1953. He had also completed many hours toward his Doctorate.

Ernie was an educator for 38 years in Pekin, retiring in 1983. He began teaching with Pekin Public Schools District 108 as a classroom teacher at Roosevelt School, then became Coach at Washington Jr. High, where he coached basketball and track and oversaw intramurals. In 1953, his heavyweight boys’ basketball team was Illinois State Champion. Ernie was proud of the many junior high athletes he coached that went on to participate on Pekin High sports teams and some even at the collegiate level. He went on to become Principal at Franklin, Washington Jr. High, Garfield, and Douglas Schools. He would joke that after he left as principal they would close or tear down many of the school buildings he presided over.

Among his greatest enjoyments was running into former students, many of whom he would later have their children as students in school. He had a knack for remembering people’s names and recalling history about them or their families. Many former teachers, staff, and others who worked with Ernie remember his fairness, kindness, playfulness, and sense of humor.

Until his death he was the oldest living charter member of Knights of Columbus Archbishop Schlarman Council #3507. Through the years, he volunteered at multiple K of C events, including helping in the kitchen, tending bar, setup and cleanup for community dinners and fundraisers, along with participating in numerous club charity fundraising projects.

For many years prior to Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day, he would place American flags at cemetery gravesites of military veterans. He also participated in the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team and was a member of William Schaefer American Legion Post 44, Roy L. King Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1232, Society of the 3rd Infantry Division, and Heart of Illinois POW/MIA Association. For many years he was devoted to the Prisoner of War/ Missing in Action cause and could be found staffing an information table, participating in vigils and ceremonies, demonstrating, or marching in parades alongside his veteran son, Sam, to raise consciousness about the fate of abandoned American servicemen. He also was a member of the Tazewell County Retired Teachers Association.

He worked part-time for the Pekin Park District for more than 65 years during summers and after his school retirement. He was the Head Lifeguard at Mineral Springs Park Pool for 10 years during the 1950’s. For many years he coached the Park-sponsored Junior High football program and with his wife managed the old miniature golf course. He retired from the Park District at age 92, after working in Park Administration reconciling receipts form the numerous park venues.

In his earlier years to help support his family, during fall and winter, he kept busy working Christmas holidays at the Pekin Post Office and officiating high school football and basketball games. He also found time in the summer to work at the Cornick’s Concrete Block Plant on Derby Street. During summers he also played and pitched on a local SLO-pitch team into his 60’s.

Ernie was an avid pinochle and poker player. There was a regular group of school teachers and principals who would on occasion gather evenings for friendly games. He also had a fondness for the slot machines on occasional visits to the Par-A-Dice in East Peoria and at the K of C Club.

While Ernie grew up in New York State, he was easily able to transfer his pro sports team allegiances to his beloved Chicago Cubs and Bears. He religiously followed college football and basketball at Notre Dame, Bradley, and Illinois. He could be seen many Friday nights at Pekin High home football and basketball games.

Ernie was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin, where all his children were baptized and two of his children married. One of his proudest Pekin moments was the honor of being named Grand Marshal for the 1999 Pekin Marigold Festival.

Ernie was a lover of people, kids and animals. Everybody seems to have a story about Ernie. He was a common man who earned the respect of everyone he encountered, yet never wanting to call attention to himself. He loved working with and thrived being around people. What a difference he made to all the lives that he touched. The world would be a much richer place if there were more Ernies.

His funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 10, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. Father Michael Andrejek will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Further visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Army and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in care of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 303 South 7th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Ernie asked that his family remember and thank those staff and volunteers from the Villas of Holly Brook in Pekin, Hallmark Health Care and UnityPoint Health in Pekin, who cared for and supported him during the last years of his life.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com