Ernest (Ernie) Joseph Bender, born Ernest Joseph Kopcsik April 21, 1941 in Cleveland Ohio to Irene Kopcsik, passed away on Monday December 17th, 2018 while on vacation in Kauai, Hawaii due to complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Ernie’s adventures began when he enlisted in the US Navy in 1959. As a Sonar Technician, Ernie was stationed in Key West Florida , then Centerville Beach, California. While in Centerville, Ernie met and married his 1st wife, Romona (Clark) and they began their Family having a son Richard and daughter Erinn.
His career with Pacific Gas and Electric as an Electrical Engineer began in 1963 and in 1981 a work transfer moved he and his family to King City. Ernie loved his King City community and was a member of the King City Lyons Club, KC Volunteer Fire Department, KC Chamber and many other community events. Everyone who knew him, knew that Ernie loved being involved in anything that let him hold the microphone and charm the crowd.
The next chapter of Ernie’s life led him to transfer to the Salinas PG&E Office where was in the Operations Management Department. Ernie met Shirley Bradford on April 14,1992 and exactly 4 years later to the day- April 14, 1996 they Wed at the beautiful Laguna Seca Racetrack. Ernie was a SCRAMP Director at Laguna Seca, on the Monterey County Parks and Recreation Board of Directors, and President of the Pacific Grove Lyons Club. Ernie loved playing golf , volunteering with the Chamber and Traveling and after his retirement from PG&E in 1992 was looking forward to enjoy it all.
In 1999 Ernie and Shirley moved to Oakhurst where he had what he called his “fun jobs”. He was a travel agent, loan officer and Century 21 Real estate agent, but some of his favorite days were making tire runs for Mike and Diane Sullivan of Sullivan’s Tires. While in Oakhurst, he and Shirley had great escapades traveling with their group of friends known as “The Big Twelve”, Ernie served on the Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Oakhurst Rotary Club. Ready for another change, Shirley and Ernie moved to Lodi in 2015 and when they were not having adventures traveling with good friends John and Debbie Alger, Ernies new “fun job” was Pouring Wine at Prie Winery for John and Lisa Gash.
Ernie is survived by his wife Shirley and there blended family. Son, Richard (Debby) Bender, Daughter, Erinn and Grandsons Owen and Max Pozzi , Son Tom And Granddaughter Abriel and Grandson Ryland Bradford, Daughter Samantha (Ryan) and Granddaughters Efa and Maura Alibrando. He also leaves Sisters Linda Burton and Judy (Mike) Hussey, Aunt Velma Kurtz and numerous beloved Nephews and Nieces.. He was preceded in death by his Mother Irene Nowiki.
Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of life, Saturday February 16th, 2019 at 2:00 pm at the Oakhurst Elks Lodge in Oakhurst, Ca. Please bring your smiles and best Ernie story as we celebrate the memory of his amazing life.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Oakhust Elks Lodge or Oakhurst Rotary Club.
