Ernest Edward Tesson

Ernest E. “Ernie” Tesson passed away peacefully at his home in Wellfleet on October 28, 2020. His wife, Katherine, was holding his hand and they were listening to Symphony Sid.

He is predeceased by an infant brother, his brother Paul, sister Patricia Rogers, sons Richard and Patrick, and grandson Edward.

He is survived by his wife, Katherine Tesson, and children: Edward Tesson and wife Sue; Bezie Evangelista and husband Paul; Katherine Garran and husband John; Raymond Tesson and wife Diana; Ernest C. Tesson II and wife Sonia; Regis Legnine and husband Doug; Frederick Tesson and wife Judy; Matthew Tesson; Patricia Prescott and husband Jon; Nellie DiPinto; former daughter-in-law Jane Tesson; former son-in-law Mike DiPinto; and many nieces and nephews.

Ernest is also survived by his cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren:

Grandson Raymond Tesson, wife April and son Hayden; granddaughter Corinne Tesson and daughter Tiana and son Isaiah; granddaughter Alicia Tesson, husband Elvis Campos and sons Suresh, Tyrion, and Naveen Campos; granddaughter Arozana Davis, husband Jamie and daughter Anwyn and son Rayf; grandson Brendon Tesson; granddaughter Valerie Clardy and daughter Clara and son Liam; granddaughter Heather MacKenzie, husband Matt and daughter Grace and son Jack; grandson John Garran Jr., wife Kendall and daughter Taylor and son Connor; granddaughter Leah Pelkey, husband Nick and daughters Harper and Penelope; grandsons Michael Tesson and Nathaniel Tesson; granddaughter Caetlyn Tesson; granddaughter Danielle Tesson and daughters Hailey Mitchell and Chelsea Cunningham; grandson Ryan Ellis; granddaughter Paige Martin; granddaughters Isabel Tesson and Alyssa Tesson; grandson Brian Butilier, wife Jody and sons Logan and Eliot; grandson Robert Butilier, wife Rachel and daughters Natalie and Ruby and son Gideon; grandson Craig Butilier, girlfriend Bridget Creech and son Cavan Butilier and daughter Kayleigh Butilier; grandson Ronald Butilier, wife Jenn Paine and daughters Alex Paine and Amanda Paine; granddaughter Bezie Starkey and husband Joe; granddaughter Lydia Legnine; grandson Edward Tesson (deceased) girlfriend Sadie Ziemba, twin daughters Lilli and Gracie and son Eli Tesson; granddaughters Abigail Tesson, Jessica Tesson, and Bridgette Tesson; grandson Zachary Tesson; granddaughter Katherine “Katie” Hurley and husband Jake; grandsons Thomas Prescott and William Prescott; granddaughter Claire Prescott; granddaughter Brittany DiPinto, boyfriend Jason Imes and son Owen Imes; grandsons Jacob DiPinto and Kyle Dipinto; granddaughter NellieMay Dipinto.

Ernest was born in Quincy, Massachusetts on October 23, 1929 to Ernest C. and Isabel Tesson, and moved to Wellfleet in 1945. In September of 1950, he married the love of his life Katherine (Dyer) Tesson at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Wellfleet--a day affectionately referred to by a friend (and thereafter, by Ernie himself) as Ernie Tesson’s “one good day.” At the time of his passing, Katherine and Ernie had been living their marital vows for 70 years. Ernie was an avid conservationist, and was active in the Wellfleet community through most of his life. He was chairman of the Archaeological Society, worked with the Wellfleet Historical Society to restore the Ryder House, and facilitated the reburial of a 16th century Wampanoag woman’s remains. Together with his good friend and mentor, Dr. Belding, Ernie

collected data from the Wellfleet ponds for the State of Massachusetts. He had a lifetime

membership to the Chequessett Neck Yacht Club, where he enjoyed sailing with his family.

Ernie’s family was the most important aspect of his life. He provided for his family through

hard work, thriftiness, and teaching himself to invest. He ran his own business, Ernest E. Tesson Painting, and made working close to home a priority. When things were tight, the family spent their evenings together shucking scallops, and Ernie never missed an opportunity to brag about his wife’s skill at the task. Summer evenings were filled with swimming at Long Pond, and fishing at Field Point. In his spare time after retirement, Ernie loved to listen to talk radio and to garden, sometimes in tandem. His philosophy was never to spend a moment indoors that could be spent outdoors. He enjoyed music--blues and jazz were his favorite—and was a voracious reader and lifelong learner. His mind was a web of information, and he was always quoting from something. He held a great love and respect for Cape Cod and its history, its wildlife, its geology and ecosystems.

In his final days, he was happiest holding court in his yard, surrounded by friends and family.

Ernie’s wife and children remember him as intelligent, wise, curious, opinionated, observant, and stubborn (or perhaps determined). He was foresighted, yet lived in the moment; he believed in individuality and tradition. He was a devoted dad who could be a tyrant, and we loved him. He was Dad.

A special thanks to all those who made Ernie’s final days peaceful for him and his family, especially: the nurses of VNA/Hospice of Cape Cod, Evelyn Roesler P.A., George Shafnacker and Ken Thompson, and friends not forgotten but too numerous to mention who brought meals, shared conversation, and offered prayers.

A Funeral Mass will be held November 14, 2020 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Wellfleet at 10

a.m. for family members only due to Covid-19 restrictions. Burial to follow at Sacred Heart

Cemetery in Truro. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation, Nashville TN, or a cancer society of your choosing.