Ernest H. Bancroft, Jr.

BARRE TOWN - Ernest H. “Ernie” Bancroft, Jr., of Smith Farm Road, died Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Central Vermont Medical Center. His family was at his bedside.

Ernie was born on December 24, 1928 in South Barre to Ernest H. Bancroft and Ida Mae Gordon. He was the sixth of seven children.

He attended South Barre School, graduated from Spaulding High School, Class of 1947, graduated from Vermont Junior College in 1949 and attended the University of Vermont.

Ernie joined the Army, and after basic training he was selected for officer candidate school where he graduated as a First Lieutenant. He served in the military for twelve years, including three years during the Korean War. He later became Company Commander in the Reserves and retired as Captain.

On July 10, 1954 he married Theresa Marie Keefe at St. Monica Church in Barre. They resided at the Bancroft family home in South Barre for 34 years, then moved to Windywood Road in Barre Town in 1988.

As a young man, Ernie drove a milk truck for Granite City Creamery. After serving his country, he worked as a car salesman at Walker Motors.  He then became an insurance agent at Paige and Campbell, where he worked from 1954 until his retirement in 1996.

Ernie was a member of St. Monica Parish where he served on the finance committee. He was a Barre Town selectman and a member of the Lions Club for over 50 years, serving as King Lion from 1970-1971. Additionally, he became a member of the American Legion, Elks Club, Mutuo, and was a charter member of the Sno-Bees. He was a trustee at the Central Vermont Hospital for over 20 years and served as Chairman of the Board from 1989-1993. He was also a trustee of the Vermont Hospital Association, the American Hospital Association, and the Northfield Savings Bank. Ernie was the first president of the Barre Area Development Corporation, serving that organization for 20 years. He was active in the Barre Chamber of Commerce for many years as well, where he served as president and spearheaded a fight in the 1960’s to have the interstate highway located closer to Barre.  Ernie also served on the Fundraising Committee to reopen the Barre Opera House.

Ernie enjoyed staying active and cherished the outdoors. He was a founding member of Checkpoint Hunting Club where he spent time with lifelong friends and family members, including his son and grandsons. He was also a member of the Maidstone hunting camp. He went on memorable snowmobile trips with friends, including one from Barre to Quebec City and back in 4 days (a distance of 780 miles) and another to Yellowstone National Park. He enjoyed hiking and climbed Camel’s Hump solo at age 80 and climbed the Worcester Range with a friend at 82. He fished most Saturday mornings at Lake Caspian and took fishing trips to Lake Ontario, Alaska, and a fly-in fishing trip to Canada. Until the age of 82, he played tennis twice a week.

His grandchildren were always surprised that Ernie knew people all over the state. He developed many close friends over the years. Every day at 7 AM sharp, Ernie joined his “breakfast crew” at Soup ‘N Greens. He then met up with a group of friends for coffee at McDonald’s later in the morning.

While Ernie’s list of accomplishments is long, and his service to the community is impressive, he will be remembered most for his devotion to his family. His father died when Ernie was in his teens, and he quickly became the “go-to guy” for his mother and siblings. His special combination of attributes—his strength, intelligence, and calm nature—allowed others to trust Ernie and rely on him for help of any kind. Any major decision, every crisis, resulted in the familiar “Call Ernie”.

Theresa, his beloved wife, was the love of Ernie’s life. Together they raised three children, and Ernie found immense joy in providing for his kids and watching them grow up. When they were young, he built them a small pool in the backyard of their South Barre home. He hung swings from the highest trees, built impressive caves in the snow banks made by the plows, led them on spring trips to historical places, and took them camping every summer at Groton.  These traditions continued with his nine grandchildren, whom he patiently taught to shoot guns, spot and track deer, hunt, and fish. Nothing made him happier than being surrounded by his children and grandchildren. ‘Sunday dinners’ were an important part of life.

Ernie Bancroft was well-loved by all who knew him, and will be missed by the entire community.

Ernie is survived by his two daughters, Deborah Balserus Johnson and her husband, Tim, of Williston, and Mary Ellen Natusch and her husband, Paul, of Westford, MA. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren: Kim Balserus Fadden and her husband, Rick; Dan Balserus; Katie Bancroft King and her husband, Kevin; Erin Bancroft Downer and her husband, Dave; Ben Natusch; Ernest H. “Buddy” Bancroft, IV; Jimmie Natusch and his fiancee, Claire Pettit; Michael Bancroft; and Jennifer Natusch.  He is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Nevaeh, Morgan, Taylor, and Riley Theresa King.

He was predeceased by his wife, Theresa, and his son, Ernest H. “Skip” Bancroft, III; his son-in-law, Chuck Balserus; his daughter-in-law, Colleen Bancroft; as well as his parents and siblings.

Calling hours will be on Sunday, April 9, 2017 from 2-5 p.m. at Hooker & Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St. in Barre. A mass of Christian burial will be on Monday, April 10, at 10 a.m. at St. Monica Church, 79 Summer St., Barre.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lions Club of Vermont, PO Box 211, Barre, VT 05641, or the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305.

Cards for the family may be sent to Mary Ellen Natusch at 17 Buckingham Drive, Westford, MA 01886.