Ernest Henry Bayer, Sr (84 years old) beloved husband of Patricia Ann (Duperry) Bayer passed peacefully into his eternal home on Tuesday, December 7, 2022. Prior to moving into the Doak Walker House at Casey's Pond in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Ernie lived with Patricia at Casey's Pond in an Independent Living apartment and at Mountain View Manor (Steamboat Springs, CO). Previous to his Colorado adventure, Ernie lived in Bristol, Connecticut for most of his life (with a short Durango, CO adventure 1974-78).
Ernie was born on January 7, 1938 to the late John Bayer and Ottilie (Tiede) Bayer of Bristol, CT. He was a kind, gentle and loving father to his four children Jeffrey Bayer, Ernest Bayer, Jr, Kevin Bayer, and Wendy Bayer Dillon. He was also an amazing grandfather to Emily Mae Bayer, Alexia Bayer, Nicholas Bayer, Patrick Dillon and Rebecca Dillon.
Ernie was a graduate of Bristol High School. He met and married the love of his life, Patricia Ann Duperry on October 24, 1959, and they recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.
Ernie lived most of his life in Bristol, CT. However, there was a short but unforgettable segment of his life in Durango, CO. Ernie, Pat and their children moved to Colorado almost five years (1974-78). Ernie loved Colorado, where he learned how to ski, ride horses, and enjoy the beauty of the mountains. Life circumstances brought him back to CT in 1978, but he never lost his love for Colorado and he found himself in Steamboat Springs, CO in 2016, to live near Ernest, Wendy and her family. It was a blessing that Ernie got to live his golden years in the Colorado beauty with some of his children and grandchildren.
Ernie will be remembered most for the love of his wife and family, his kind heart, his calm and peaceful presence, his sense of humor, his incredible work ethic, and his perseverance in times of hardship. He will be greatly missed, but we are confident that he is in a place of eternal peace and love.
Ernie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia D. Bayer, his children and grandchildren(mentioned above), his sister Sharon (Bayer) Butler, his brother Paul Bayer, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brothers John Bayer and Robert Bayer, and his sisters Louise (Bayer) Swanson and Carol (Bayer) McCorriston.
Friends and relatives may call at Holy Name Catholic Church in Steamboat Springs, Colorado from 1:00 - 2:30, and will be followed by a Mass of the Resurrection at 2:30 PM. The Mass will be livestreamed and can be accessed with this link www.youtube.com/holynamecatholicchurch
There will also be calling hours at Funk Funeral Home in Bristol, CT and a graveside service at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Bristol, CT at a date to be determined by the family.