Ernest "Ernie" Tatro Jr, 60

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —  Ernest (Ernie) Ralph Tatro Jr, 60 of North Adams died Sunday March 31, 2024 at Williamstown Commons after a battle with Alzhiemer's. He passed surrounded by his loving family and good friends.

Ernie was born in North Adams on March 3, 1964 a son of the late Ernest Tatro Sr and Nancy (Darling) Alibozek. He graduated from Drury High school and was last employed by Hillcrest Commons where he worked for 22 years. He worked in many positions there including Director of Environmental. Ernie was an excellent painter, he was well known for other skills related to maintenance during his prime. Prior to working at Hillcrest Comons, Ernie held many Maintenance Management jobs including the former Orchards Hotel and Holiday Inn.

On November 9, 1990 he married the love of his life, Theresa (Terry) and together they shared 33 years of marriage. Ernie took on the role of step dad to Terry's son Josh without hesitation. Soon after they welcomed their daughter Gina and completed their family. Ernie was the definition of a family guy, his family was his world and he would do anything for them. You could often find him doing various school projects for his children, and in his later years fixing Gina's car or doing home and yard projects the kids would ask for.

If the weather was nice, you would find Ernie outside. His fourth love was his yard, if he wasn't mowing the lawn, he was in his garden, picking weeds, maintaining the pool or in his garage arranging his tools. He would always find something to do to keep him outside. In the winter he would anticipate the ice thickening so he and the family, including the dog, could go ice fishing with his siblings and friends.

He shared a love of fishing, during his free time he would be out on his boat with Josh or kayaking with his wife and family. Ernie also enjoyed gardening. What started out as a hobby with his father in law, Karl, he soon took it over when Karl was unable to maintain the garden any longer. Ernie prided himself on keeping the garden alive for Karl and worked hard every year to keep it going. He and Gina enjoyed cooking together and coming up with new things to try, canning sauce, making jam and coming up with fun cooking concoctions. He loved time with his wife and family, taking spur of the moment road trips for the weekend and beach trips brought him happiness.

Ernie leaves his wife, Terry (LaPine) Tatro of North Adams, his son Josh Sweet and his fiancée Kayla, daughter Gina Beverly and her husband Joey, and one grandson Theodore all of North Adams. He also leaves his siblings Todd Tatro (Donna) of North Adams, Wendy Laughlin (Rick) of Adams, nieces and nephews and many cousins and extended family and friends including Bob Witruk, his longtime caregiver. He was predeceased by his parents Ernest Tatro and Nancy (Darling) Alibozek.

FUNERAL NOTICE: The funeral for Ernest Tatro will be Thursday April 4, 2024 at 1:00 PM at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS WEST CHAPELS, 521 West Main St. North Adams, MA. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home are Thursday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of the funeral home. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com