Ernest Joseph Hedrick, Sr., 90, of LaGrangeville, died on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center surrounded by family members. Born on February 21, 1932, he was the son of the late Winfred and Nicolina (Ippolito) Hedrich. He is survived by Marlene, his wife of 51 years. They were married at St. Monica's Church, Berwyn, PA, on November 29, 1970.  Also surviving are his sons, Ernest Hedrick, Jr. (Angel Lori), Keith Hedrick (Donna), Walter Hedrick (Kasey), and daughter, Nicolina Crowther (Allen).  He also leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 8 great great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sons, Michael and Raymond, and four brothers, Winfred, Francis, Richard and Kenneth.

After his return from the Vietnam War, he became employed as a salesman for almost 25 years at CryoWeld Corporation in Poughkeepsie. He was also a co-owner of Let's Travel in Poughkeepsie and Danbury, NY, and co-owner of Stainless Design Corporation in Saugerties, NY.

Throughout his lifetime, Ernest enjoyed bowling, traveling, giving a hand to someone in need, and spending many hours fishing in local streams, deep-sea fishing and catching salmon on Lake Ontario. He loved playing Poker with a few friends.  He was a member of the Millbrook Senior Citizens Club and the Union Vale Senior Citizens Club where he loved playing another card game, Hand in Foot.  He loved to hear the crack of the bat and was an avid Yankees Baseball fan and watched many games at the original Yankees Stadium where he lived in the Bronx when he was a young boy.

Ernest had a wonderful sense of humor and kept many people in stitches because of his wit and quick responses.  He will be deeply missed for his kindness and gave willingly from his heart to see people happy. He enjoyed tinkering and loved to get his hands on something that needed to be fixed, especially if it was for someone he knew.   He taught welding classes at BOCES and made beautiful metal sculptures of out of bronze and copper.
Ernest proudly served in the United States Armed Forces. He spent 4 years in the Army and almost 2 years in the Navy Seabees during the Vietnam War.

There will be no calling hours.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022, at St. Joseph-Immaculate Conception Church, 15 North Ave., Millbrook, NY. Friends may arrive prior to the 11:00 Mass to pay their respects to the family. Interment will be in the Church's cemetery following the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dutchess Outreach, 29 North Hamilton St., Suite 220, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601or Dutchess Outreach.org.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Allen Funeral Home, Millbrook.