Ernest Centa

ERNEST R. CENTA age 96, beloved husband for 61 years of Lillian  (nee Pozar); loving father of Ronald, Michael (wife Judith), Joanne, and two stillborn baby boys; devoted grandfather of Paige, Alexander, and Ethan; cherished son of the late Karl and Frances (nee Turk); dearest brother of the late Frances Opaskar (husband Vincent DDS deceased), Charles MD. (wife Lillian deceased), Olga Horvath (husband Louis deceased), and Emil (wife Mary Ann). U.S. Army Air Force Veteran.

Ernie was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 7, 1923 and passed away on November 23, 2019. Following his graduation from Glenville High School, he proudly served in the Army Air Force 931^st Signal Battalion (Aviation) (SP) China-Burma-India Theatre during WWII, in the Radio Corps. Ernie continued his education after the military. He graduated from John Carroll University with a bachelor’s degree and earned his Juris Doctor from the Cleveland Marshall Law School. For many years Ernie practiced as an attorney at law through his private practice, Centa & Centa, as well as held his license through the Supreme Court of Ohio. He was also an honorary lifetime member of the Ohio State Bar Association, as well as the Lake County Bar Association. When he was not practicing law, he was playing string bass in the Euclid Symphony Orchestra, to which he was a 50 year founding member. He was also a longtime member of the Lakeland College Symphony Orchestra, and the Cleveland Federation of Musicians Local 4. Ernie was a member of Our Lady of the Lake for over 50 years, formerly Holy Cross, and served as an Usher for many years and belonged to the Genesis Group. He was formerly a member of the St. Vitus Catholic War Vets. He also had a passion for showing dogs at the United States Kerry Blue Terrier Association Shows. Ernie found the most enjoyment in life when traveling with his wife, Lillian, and staying with his family in Slovenia every year for the last 20 years. Ernie as an easy going, fair, honest, and friendly man, and for that he will be dearly missed.

Contributions may be made in memory of Ernie to Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Marc (21800 Chardon Rd., Euclid, OH 44117).

Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, December 5, 2019 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church (19951 Lakeshore Blvd., Euclid, OH 44119) at 10 AM. Burial following with Military Honors at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Ernie at THE ZEVNIK-COSIC HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) WEDNESDAY 4-8 PM.