Obituary of Ernest "Ernie" Colern

Passed away on July 18, 2021, beloved husband of Pat (Sands) Colern; dear father of Patricia (Donald) Gemmell, Jennifer Szlapak, Lori Sniderhan and Jill Szlapak; loving grandfather of 11 and great-grandfather of five; son of the late Andrew and Marion (Spencer) Colern; brother of Norma (late Jake) Huson, Francis “Pooch” (Shirley) Colern, Dolores Colern, Carol (late Jack) Feyes, Colleen (late Vincent) Candurra, Monica (late Michael) Tobin and the late Robert (late Ethel “Babe”) Colern, late Elizabeth (late Pasquale Malizia and late Richard Knoop) Knoop and late Thomas (Shirley) Colern; also survived by many nieces and nephews. Friends and family may call on Wednesday from 2-8 PM at the JAMES W. CANNAN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 3155 Orchard Park Rd., Orchard Park, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at St. Teresa Church at 10:15 AM (please assemble at church). The Burial will follow the Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the St. Teresa Church Renovation Fund, 1976 Seneca St., Buffalo, NY 14210. Ernie was a Vietnam War veteran and awarded the Purple Heart twice. He was also a member of the Ironworkers Local #6.