Ernest J. Leal Sr.

Ernest J. Leal Sr., 96, of Camillus, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2017 at James Square Health & Rehabilitation Centre. Born in Oswego, he lived in Camillus since 1962 and was a graduate of Oswego High School. Ernest also attended SUNY Oswego, SUNY Albany and received his master's degree from Syracuse University. He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II. He retired in 1976 after 29 years with the Syracuse City School District.

Ernest was a member of Robinson Memorial Presbyterian Church. He sang with the church choir and Syracuse University Oratorio Society. He was also an AARP member and former president of the NY State Association of School Personnel Administrators. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, building, playing cards and spending his summers in the Thousand Islands but above all, loved spending time with his family.

Ernest was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth; son, Ernest Jr.; sisters, Beatrice Dodson, Thelma Crawford, Mary McMahon and Margaret Miesner; brothers, Harold and Edward; granddaughters, Cara Bryant and Ryann Leal; and great-granddaughter, Alana Bryant.

Surviving are his daughters, Mary Leal-Bryant (Huyland) of Marcellus and Deborah Leal (Lawrence "Zeke" Ronnow) of Syracuse; daughter-in-law, Catherine (Boddy) Leal of Henrietta; grandchildren, Huyland (Julie) Bryant of Skaneateles, Joseph Ronnow of Syracuse, Jennifer (David) Woodburn of Perry and Ernest J. Leal III of Henrietta; great-grandchildren, Kayla Bryant, Huyland L. Bryant, Abriana (Leal) Perl and Isaac Woodburn.

Relatives and friends may call Friday, March 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus.

Services will be Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Spring burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Wellesley Island.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Robinson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 126 South Terry Rd., Syracuse, NY 13219.

Share condolences at www.BuranichFH.com