Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Rastelli, Ernest Michael July 16, 2021 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Woolfitt http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008401 February 26, 2022, 5:14 pm HD Oliver FA. July 19, 2021 On Friday, July 16, 2021, Ernest Michael Rastelli passed away at the age of 68, after a brief illness at Sentara Leigh Hospital, surrounded by his beloved wife of 35 years, Carol Anne Rastelli, his children and his parish priest. Ernie was born on May 7th, 1953, to Elsie and Henry Rastelli, in Bridgeport, CT. He attended the parish school of Saint Andrews in Bridgeport, high school at Christ the King Seminary, and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Fairfield, CT in 1971. From there, he went on to attend the University of Connecticut. He joined the United States Navy in January of 1976 and served for six years, achieving the rank of Petty Officer First Class with the rate of Machinist’s Mate. He served on the USS Texas and the USS Enterprise, leaving the USN in 1982. Upon leaving the Navy, he took an engineering job with Newport News Shipbuilding and worked there 39 years, completing many projects involving radiation control and passing on his knowledge to the next generation of shipbuilders. At the time of his passing, he was working in engineering department 81. While there, he completed his bachelors degree in engineering technology at Old Dominion University in December 2005, while working full time and also spending time with his most important priorities, his faith, wife, and children. Ernie was an avid reader, history buff and amateur expert on steam engines + model trains, which he loved to set up around the Christmas tree. He had a passion for fixing things; from a young child, he was forever taking things apart to learn how they worked. He tinkered with many things over the years, from toys for kids, to car repairs, church projects and home improvements. He was frequently called by his family and friends for help and advice on car and house repairs, as he was a very knowledgeable handy-man and more than willing to lend a hand. Babies were near and dear to his heart, and many friends remember Ernie meeting them at the door and helping bring the kids in just so he could scoop up the baby and hold him or her for a while. His grandchildren brought him so much joy and pride and he took every opportunity to be with them. He was a patient, loving and tender husband and father and he became a doting and even more patient grandfather. He was immensely proud of his children, their achievements and their character. As both a child and an adult, Ernie was very active in Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Life Scout in Troop 60 in Bridgeport, CT. He was very proud of his own two Eagle Scouts, Peter and Joseph, and his two Scouts Daniel and Thomas. He served as an adult leader and assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 996 in Virginia Beach, VA, and later, in Troop 837 in Chesapeake, VA, going on many campouts, hikes, and service projects and counseling many young men. The most important thing in life to Ernie was his Catholic faith and he instilled this love in his children. He was a parishioner of St. Matthew’s in Va Beach, St. Gregory’s in Va Beach, and finally of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Chesapeake, VA, where he served as a member of the parish council and St. Joseph’s Mens Guild. He was a member of New Creation Community at its beginning and for many years. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus at St. Matthew’s parish, Council 10601. He was a frequent attendee of daily mass and led the Rosary and Litany of Loretto at Wednesday night adoration. He went on the Fr. Buckley march on the C&O Canal trail every year for the last several years. He is survived by his father and step-mother, Henry and Ann Rastelli of Bridgeport, CT; his beloved wife of 35 years, Carol Anne Rastelli (Caskey), his children and their spouses: Naomi Peart (Eric), Deborah Rastelli, Thomas Rastelli, Rachel Rastelli, SPC Peter Rastelli, Bernadette Galvin (Stephen), SPC Joseph Rastelli, Daniel Rastelli, and 7 grandchildren: Elijah, Catriona, Magdalena, Mairi, Francis, Elizabeth; his brothers, Henry (Valerie) Rastelli, Donald Rastelli, Michael (Rebecca) Rastelli; many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elsie Rastelli. There will be a wake at H.D. Oliver on Colonial Avenue in Norfolk, VA from 3- 4:30pm on Monday July 19th and a Traditional Catholic funeral will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, July 20th at St. Benedict’s Parish in Chesapeake, Va. The family is asking for continued prayers and in lieu of flowers to make a donation to the St. Joseph’s Guild. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/norfolkcity/obits/r/rastelli1827nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/vafiles/ File size: 5.1 Kb