ALMOND-Well known Almond resident, educator and coach, Ernest W. “Ernie” Moore, formerly of State Route 21, passed away Saturday afternoon (Feb. 25, 2017) at Elderwood at Hornell.
Born in Willimantic, Conn. on July 28, 1926, he was the son of the late Milton and Helen (Downs) Moore. On Oct. 27, 1951 he was married in Lower Cincinnatus, N.Y. to the former Flossie Fisk, who predeceased him on Nov. 21, 2012 after 61 years of marriage. Besides his parents and wife he was also predeceased by his brother, Milton Moore II and his sister, Beverly Dow.
A graduate of Wilbraham Academy in Wilbraham, Mass., Ernie also attended Vermont Junior College before he proudly served his country with the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1946 and was a recipient of the Army of Occupation Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
He received his bachelor’s degree in 1951 and his master’s degree in 1953 from Ithaca College where he was also a member of the baseball and soccer teams. From 1951to 1953 he taught physical education and coached at Virgil Central School.
Ernie has resided in Almond since 1954 at which time he began his career with Alfred-Almond Central School where he taught physical education and from 1960 to 1983 he served as the Athletic Director. He coached cross country and won several sectional titles. Ernie also coached girl’s track and won five sectional titles as well as coaching baseball, basketball and tennis; and had one indoor track school championship. After retiring in 1983 Ernie drove school bus for Alfred- Almond Central School until 2003; he served a total of 50 years for the Alfred-Almond School District. Even though he was retired Ernie was actively involved in school athletics and attended the meets and would often talk with the athletes and gave them encouragement whenever he could. He was affectionately known by the students as either “Grandpa Moore” or “Uncle Ernie.”
Over the years he received the following awards: NYSPHSAA – boys and girls Section V Coach for outstanding coaching achievements, NYSPHSAA – June 9, 1960 to Oct. 15, 1981 – Boys Cross Country Coordinator, NYS Coaches Assoc. 1970 Honor Award, the Allegany County Athletics Assoc. Honor Award and the IAABO Board No. 50 for many years of service. In 1977 he received the Paul Vienna Award for coach of the year, the NHSACA Cross Country Coach of the year award for District 1 as well as the NYSAHPER award for many years of service. He was inducted into the Section V Cross Country Hall of Fame as well as the Track and Field Hall of Fame; and in 2005 he was inducted into the Allegany County Athletics Association Hall of Fame.
A charter member of the Almond Lions Club, he was also a past president.
His loving family includes his daughter, Nancy R. Moore of Hornell; his son, Gary E. (Mary) Moore of Geneseo; his “other daughter”, Sandy Kinnerney of Almond and her two daughters, who Ernie considered as his granddaughters, Kimmy (Jason) Edwards, their son, Donny and a baby to be born at any time; Kelly (Matt) Skeval and their three children, Lia, Matthew and Kylieandra; also his sister, Ramona Chamberlain of Lebanon, N.H.; and several nieces and nephews.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Ernest W. “Ernie” Moore.
Calling hours are from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell where a funeral and committal service, with military honors, will be held following calling hours at 7 p.m. Thursday with the Rev. Kenneth Chroniger officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Almond.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Ernest and Flossie Moore Scholarship Fund to be established for Alfred-Almond Central School students, in care of Gary E. Moore, 4206 Rock Wall Drive, Geneseo, N.Y. 14454. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
The United States flag and the Army flag will proudly flay at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in recognition of Ernie’s military service with the U.S. Army.
Ernie’s family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the employees of the second floor of Elderwood at Hornell for the wonderful care that he received.
Online condolences or remembrances of Ernie are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
