Mr. Ernest Weiss

Ernest Weiss, age 83, died Friday February 24, 2017, in Somerset, New Jersey. He was born April 14, 1933, in Henčočve, near Vranov (formerly CSSR, now Slovakia) to Samuel and Sarah. His mother died suddenly when he was only 3. His father, a Talmudic scholar, owned the village general store. The family fled to Hungary after the Germans invaded in 1942, and then to Budapest. Samuel Weiss was deported from Budapest, to Mauthausen, where he perished. The fate of his parents was a great source of sorrow – it was merely 2 years ago that he learned the details of his father’s death. As orphans, he and his two sisters, Olga and Gabrielle, were to immigrate illegally to Israel, when a keen-eyed Aunt noticed their names on a list and removed them from the transport convoy. She then arranged for them to be brought legally to the United States, on the Swedish-American Gripsholm. They all arrived in America in 1947. He spoke often of his first sight of the New York skyline as the ship pulled in, and the way that the sun shone on the Statue of Liberty to welcome them. After finishing 8th grade in Highland Park, Ernie skipped high school and went to work before he was even 16 years old. He eventually returned to his education and received a Master’s Degree in Education and Labor Studies from Rutgers University. His career was vast and varied and included everything from working as an electrician, to serving various labor unions in NY and NJ. Ernie took great pride in his work as a self-employed labor arbitrator for more than 35 years. He was an avid dancer and skier in his younger years, and was also very active in musical theater, singing as a dramatic tenor in many community productions. He was known for his sense of humor, and his generosity and kindness to all. He is survived and will be missed by his devoted son Noah (Selmin) and his beloved grandsons Eli and Ari, sisters Olga Fried (Fred), and Gabrielle Kessler-Tracy (David), many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. His ultimate pride and joy was his son Noah, and dear grandchildren Eli Samsun and Ari Daniel. He believes that the next Weiss generation is proof that the Hitler did not succeed.
Shiva will be sat at the Weiss Residence, 604 Post Lane, Somerset, NJ, Monday through Thursday from 7-9 pm with Minyan Service at 7 pm each evening.