LITTLE FALLS - Mr. Ernest M. Pelli, Sr., affectionately known as "Ernie," age 76, passed away after a brief illness on Monday January 19th, 2015 at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, NY, with his loving family at his side. He was born on September 8, 1938 in Utica, NY a son of the late Alphonse and Bernadine (Ferraro) Pelli and was a graduate of Utica Proctor High School. He went on to serve our country with the United States Navy as a Navy Corpsman for three years. Following his military service, Ernie attended the Albany College of Pharmacy of which he was a graduate. His marriage to the former Carol Tomaino took place on June 9, 1962 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Utica. The couple recently celebrated 52 years of marriage. Ernie was the owner and operator of Park Row Drugs in Little Falls for many years and most recently worked for twenty years with Kinney Drugs, Ilion, NY as the pharmacist. He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Utica. He was an active member of the Little Falls Rotary Club for 48 years, serving twice as President, and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. Ernie was also a member of Little Falls Elk's Lodge and the Ilion Marine Corps League, was an avid golfer and dedicated his life to his family and his home. As a lifetime resident of Central New York, Ernie loved the area, having spent summers as a boy at Keyser Lake. Through his friendly outgoing personality he developed many friendships through the Mohawk Valley that lasted throughout his life. With his six grandchildren he found much enjoyment spending time with them and attending their sporting and other school events. He is survived by his wife, Carol, his children, Ernest Pelli, Jr., and his wife Denise of New York, Eric Pelli and wife Carolyn of Arnold, Maryland, and Kara and husband James Korfonta of Clinton, NY, grandchildren, Stephen and Teresa, Melina and Tristan, and Clare and Matthew, along with two brothers. He was predeceased by his parents, and In-Laws, Peter and Agnes Tomaino, brother-in-law Saverio Tomaino, and aunts and uncles. His funeral arrangements have been planned with The Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 West Monroe Street in Little Falls, NY and under the direction of Harry J. & Kevin E. Enea, Funeral Directors (315) 823-2424. The funeral will be held on Saturday morning January 24th, 2015 at 11:00 AM from the funeral home chapel with Deacon Joseph DeLorenzo officiating. At the conclusion of the funeral service the Little Falls Elk's will honor Ernie with a traditional ritualistic service (approximately 11:20 AM). Interment will follow at the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, Utica, NY. Calling hours at the funeral home will be held Saturday morning prior to the funeral service (9:30 until 11:00 AM). The Little Falls Rotary are asked to gather Saturday morning at 10:00 AM at the funeral home in honor of Ernie. It is the wish of the family that in lieu of flowers donations in memory of Ernie be considered to the Little Falls Hospital, 140 Burwell Street, Little Falls, NY 13365, or Little Falls Rotary Scholarship Fund in Memory of Ernest Pelli. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home for this purpose. An online note of sympathy may be extended by visiting www.eneafamily.com