POWNAL, Vt. — Ernest A. Haas, 83, a longtime resident of Pownal, more recently of Adams, Mass., passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at the Berkshire Medical Center following a brief illness surrounded by loved ones. 

The son of Marvin and Mary (Thomas) Haas, he was born in North Peterburgh, N.Y., on March 3, 1935. Ernie was a graduate of Drury High School in North Adams, Class of 1955, he then entered the U.S. Army where he served with the 82nd Airborne during the Korean War. 

Ernie married the love of his life, the former Virginia Suprenant in Williamstown on January 30, 1954. She passed away on November 25, 2011. They had resided in North Bennington for many years prior to relocating to Pownal. 

Ernie began his career in real estate in 1965; while selling real estate, he worked full time at Bennington College as a professional locksmith, retiring in 2000. He established Country Village Real Estate in 1998 and began to sell real estate full time following his retirement. Ernie enjoyed spending time with his wife, working around his yard and listening to country music. He was a former member of American Legion Post 90 in Pownal. 

He leaves behind his daughter, Kathleen Turoczy and husband Larry of Adams, Mass.; and his grandchildren Timothy Turoczy and wife Meghan of Sunrise, Fla., and Sara Turoczy and fiance Kyle Babie of Clifton Park, N.Y. 

He was predeceased by his siblings, William, Robert Mervin and Norman Haas, Marion Greene, Edith Scrivens , Katherine Turner, Alma Augenstein and Shirley Keating. 

Funeral notice: Graveside funeral services for Ernie and his wife Virginia will be held at the family lot in Oak Hill Cemetery in Pownal in the spring; military honors will be conducted for Ernie during the service. Memorial gifts may be made to VNA and Hospice on Southwestern VT or American Cancer Society in care of the Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, 213 West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201.