Ernest Joseph Etoll died peacefully at his home on Sunday, August 16, 2026 following a brief illness surrounded by his extended Family one day before what would have been his 91st birthday.

Ernie was born August 17, 1935, in Oberlin, Ohio. Ernie’s family relocated to Syracuse, New York in 1943 following the death of his Father, Enase Ernest Etoll. Ernie and his two Sisters, Barbara and Elizabeth, were raised by their Mother, Josephine B. Etoll, in the Strathmore neighborhood of Syracuse and were strongly influenced by their Uncles Jacob Lattif and Michael Lattif. Their presence in Ernie’s life resulted in Ernie being affectionally referred to as “Sonny” by immediate family and his oldest friends. Today Ernie is even more affectionately referred to as “Nernie” by many of his grandchildren, and “Grandpa” by others.

Ernie attended Most Holy Rosary and St. Anthony’s for elementary school and Syracuse University for College. However, Ernie believed it was his time at Christian Brothers Academy for high school that most significantly influenced him. Ernie repaid CBA by being an active benefactor of the school his entire life, assisting with planning and fundraising for decades, serving on its Board of Directors (now in an Emeritus a capacity), and he was the Recipient of the School’s Purple and Gold Award in 2004 honoring his long-term support and service to the school.

While attending Syracuse University, Ernie took a leave and enlisted in the Army. Exactly what Ernie did in the Army was initially shrouded in secrecy and Ernie only shared with his Family that he was a “secret agent”. We all had our suspicions. Based on his analytical skills, superior organizational habits and the ability to retain detail (and keep secrets) it was no surprise for the Family to later learn that Ernie was a member of the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps. developing skills that served him well for a lifetime.

Ernie began his career in commercial real estate in the 1960’s at Eagan Real Estate, which is where he was lucky enough to meet Sheila Ann O’Grady. Ernie somehow convinced Sheila to marry him and start a family. Ernie’s friends and family immediately recognized that he was marrying out of his league, Ernie agreed as well.

As a commercial real estate broker at Eagan, Ernie relished the art of chasing and making a deal, but always as a gentleman and in a professional way. Consistent with his entrepreneurial spirit, Ernie also had a “side job” opening pizza stores in shopping malls with his former partner and friend, Frank Luca. Commencing around 1992, Ernie and Frank began collaborating with Benny and Anthony Scotto and what is now their Villa Restaurant Group. After many successful decades at Eagan, in 1997 Ernie joined Villa full time as Director of Real Estate until his retirement around 2014. Ernie was immensely proud to be associated with Villa, and even prouder of his friendship with the Scotto’s. However, apparently no one ever fully explained to Ernie what it meant to be retired, and as was typical of his work ethic and love of business, he continued to check his work email regularly through early 2026.

Ernie and Sheila were blessed with five children: sons Stephen, twins Daniel and Joseph, Thomas, and a daughter Megan. Ernie and Sheila greatly enjoyed raising their Family in Westvale and, when the children were grown, they moved to the Town of Onondaga where they had many happy years and made several great friends in their new neighborhood. While raising their own family and later, with their grandchildren, Ernie and Sheila loved family vacations to Covewood Lodge on Big Moose Lake in the Adirondacks with the Cicci family and, later in life, going to Marco Island, Florida in the winter (where Ernie and Sheila also had many good friends). Ernie loved the New York Yankees (rarely missing a game), all sports (especially SU sports), and watching his own grandchildren play sports and attending musical performances. Ernie always instilled in his children and grandchildren the importance of hard work and treating people respectfully and with kindness (which is how he treated everyone). As his entire Family well knows, Ernie was a lover of all foods, especially his beloved Lebanese cuisine, and he regularly enjoyed smoking a good Cigar (whether it be in a group, one on one with a friend or family member listening intently and thoroughly enjoying the conversation, or alone in his den plotting his next tasks to conquer).

Ernie was preceded in death by his wife Sheila in 2022, infant son, Joseph, sister Barbara Lynch, two sisters-in law, Beatrice “Betty” (O’Grady) Jerge and Noreen (O’Grady) Kraus, and three brothers-in-law, Thomas Lynch, Raymond Jerge and Donald Kraus. Ernie is survived by his sons Stephen (Jill), Daniel (Trine), Thomas (Kristin) and daughter Megan. Ernie is also survived by 7 grandchildren who he was immensely proud of: Jacob (Izzy) Etoll, Molly Etoll, Mack Etoll and Owen Etoll, Quinn Etoll, and Grady Etoll and Keira Etoll, his Sister, Elizabeth Etoll, and several Nieces and Nephews who have always showed Ernie great respect.

The Family would like to thank and commend the Staff at Upstate Hospital, and in particular their Hospital at Home program, and Chris Place and her aides for the exceptional care each provided to Ernie to allow him to return home before his death. Those final days and nights in Ernie and Sheila’s house, which allowed numerous family members and friends to visit Ernie comfortably and say their goodbyes, will never be forgotten by the Family.

Friends and Family may call on Monday, August 24, 2026 from 4 PM to 7 PM at the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, 111 Roberts Avenue, Syracuse, New York 13207. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at the Church at 10:30 AM. The Rite of Committal and Burial will be at Assumption Cemetery, 2401 Court Street, Syracuse, New York 13208 immediately after the Mass.

Contributions in Ernie’s memory may be made to Christian Brothers Academy, 6245 Randall Road, Syracuse, New York 13214 or to the St. Charles-St. Ann’s Church Food Pantry, 501 South Orchard Road, Syracuse, New York 13219.

Arrangements are through Edward J. Ryan & Son Funeral Home. Please sign the Funeral Home’s online Guestbook for Ernie to express your thoughts and condolences.