WEBSTER – Ernest G. “Ernie” Gatzke, 79, died Wednesday, November 25, 2020 in Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester after a brief illness.
He leaves his wife of 59 years, Virginia M. “Ginger” (Cournoyer) Gatzke; 2 daughters, Robin M. Gatzke-Begreen and her husband Paul of Scottsdale, AZ, and Susan J. Borski and her companion Christy Atsales of Danielson, CT; 4 grandchildren, Jason Borski, James Borski and his wife Melissa, Brittany Gould and Christian Gould; a great-granddaughter Alexys; a brother, Robert F. “Bob” Gatzke and his wife Kathleen of Webster; a sister, Patricia Toukonen of Gainesville, FL; many nephews and nieces. Ernie’s sister Joan “Shirley” Gatzke died in 2006.
Born at home in Webster on July 3, 1941, the son of Ernest R. and Mary (Bialy) Gatzke, Ernie lived here all his life. He graduated from Bartlett High Trade School in 1959.
After working 25 years as a machine operator at Webster Lens Company, Ernie became a forklift operator for Cranston Print Works Company for another 25 years, retiring in 2007.
Instrumental in the founding of the Webster Lassie League, and a commissioner for many years, Ernie had a profound influence on the young lives of girls in town when there were few available sporting activities.
Ernie loved railroads and had model trains at home that he would display at various railroad shows. He was a longtime member of the Worcester Railroad Club. He enjoyed volunteering as a conductor for the Old Colony Newport Railroad in Newport, RI and once was a conductor on the Polar Express from Worcester to Woonsocket.
Ernie’s funeral will be held Monday, December 7, from Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Louis Church, 14 Lake Street. Visiting hours will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday, December 6, in the funeral home. Current health guidelines will be in place and everyone is asked to wear a mask. A member of Saint Louis Church, donations in Ernie’s name may be made to either Saint Louis Endowment Fund, 15 Lake Street, Webster, MA 0l570 or to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.