Ernie Roberts' Obituary
Ernie H. Roberts May 17, 1929 – January 10, 2024
Ernie H. Roberts, 94, passed away in Homestead, FL on January 10th, 2024. He was at Homestead Hospital after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of the late Annabelle (Van Wagner) Roberts who passed away in 2011, his parents, his siblings Ted, Russell, and Shirley, as well as his children Howard Roberts, Shirley Pinette, and Carolyn Paul.
Ernie was born in May of 1929 in St. Johnsbury, VT to the late Russell Everett Cobb and Ruth Lucille Thurston Cobb. Ernie moved to Danbury, CT where he met his late wife, Anna. They later lived in Branford, CT for many years before moving to Homestead, FL in 1977.
Ernie enjoyed outdoor activities with his family when they were young, including yearly camping trips to Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. He loved hiking, fishing, and having his children around. Ernie and Anna established E & A Roberts Upholstery Shop in 1970 in Branford, CT, and successfully continued their business in Homestead, FL. Ernie never met a stranger and could talk to anyone about anything. He read voraciously, enjoying magazines such as National Geographic, Time, Reader’s Digest and books about real people and events. He also enjoyed Country and Western music and television documentaries.
Ernie is survived by his daughters Barbara Skaggs of Helena, MT, Anne Roberts of Gainesville, FL, son-in-law Bil Pinette, daughter-in-law Ilean (Jeanette) Roberts, 9 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. Many thanks to his generous friend Betty Bryan for letting Ernie and his family enjoy her stilt vacation house in the Everglades. It was the one place he could truly relax and unplug from the rest of the world. Thanks also to his friends, Carol Powell and Mario Campbell for their love and support, and to his many friends in Homestead and Florida City.
A memorial service will be celebrated on Saturday, March 9th at Branam Funeral Home, 809 N. Krome Avenue in Homestead, FL, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
We miss you and love you, Dad.
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