Ernest Charles Dardis

Ernest “Ernie” Charles Dardis of Easton, MD, passed away Wednesday November 14, 2012, at The Gardens at William Hill Manor in Easton. He was 75 years of age. A loving Husband and Father, he is survived by his wife of 49 years, Diana Catherine Dardis of Easton; his sons, Kenneth and Keith Dardis; their wives, Cynthia and Wendy Dardis; and six grandchildren, Jack, Luke, Emily, Jake, Claire and Collin, all from Stamford, CT. He is also survived by his sisters, Joan Samsen of New York, NY, and Eileen McLaughlin of Brooklyn, NY; and brother, Robert Dardis of Wherever, FL. Ernie was affectionately known by friends and family as “The Big E,” which was sometimes pronounced as “Biggy” by grandchildren in the midst of forming their language skills. Born on February 4, 1937, in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Ernest Victor Dardis and Agnes Crowley, Ernie grew up in Bay Ridge and was an avid Brooklyn Dodgers fan and a regular fixture at Ebbets Field. He notoriously spilled coffee he was serving on a spectators lap when Bobby Thompson hit the shot heard round the world. He was a talented baseball player and grew up playing sandlot ball against the likes of Sandy Koufax, eventually earning a tryout at first base with the Dodgers. He was educated as a true Renaissance man in the Jesuit tradition, earning his degree in economics and philosophy from Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ. This education formed his personality as a thinking man of high integrity with steadfast belief in doing things in a fair manner. After college, he enrolled at the United States Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. He served his country with honor, was respected as leader of men, and earned his MBA from Michigan State University in the process. He retired as a Commander following a distinguished 20-year career consistent to his character and work ethic. Following his naval career, his entrepreneurial spirit was displayed as he helped his partners build their company, Sea Wheels Corporation in Carlisle, PA, an innovator of transportation logistics. During this decade he lived in Mechanicsburg, PA, with his family. Returning to public service, and with it a move back to the Washington, DC, area, he became an executive with the United States Postal Service where he became the Manager of Material Distribution - USA. In typical Ernie Dardis fashion, he stayed years longer and with deeper impact than originally contemplated. Throughout his diverse career, Ernie always displayed a disciplined and focused work ethic and conducted himself with uncommon decency, kindness, and civility to those he encountered. As one colleague described him, “I have never met such an accomplished person without a boastful bone in his body.” As a result of his living many years in the Washington, DC, area, he developed a loyalty to the Washington Redskins and a tendency to escape to the nearby beaches of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It was on those beaches where E was often found covered with towel, hat and umbrella, surrounded by his family - a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other (but not too early). There were plenty of fun times around the house and with his family, and many an evening was highlighted by the spontaneous dancing that resulted when a R&B tune would fill the air or a Jimmy Buffet song would test his lungs. Guests were always encouraged to have fun and were rarely disappointed. Ernie was also the moderator of the nightly dinner “discussion” – an event that could be mistaken for a modern debate. There was no seat safe at the table for those who were unable to stake out their position, and then be able to support it. The topic and position you chose were less important than your ability to support it. His views of the world were particularly interesting given his background living and traveling with our military in Japan and Europe. He had a deep love of his country and was an open-minded citizen of the World. He had no tolerance for bullies and oppressors and believed everyone should have a fair and equal opportunity. In addition to his deep faith in God, he carries with him the love of his family and friends. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on December 1, 2012, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 7906 Ocean Gateway, Easton, MD 21601. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, NY, NY 10001, (866) 232-8484).

Ernest Charles Dardis

February 4, 1937 - November 14, 2012