Ernest H. Favulli

Ernest H. Favulli, 96, of Worcester, passed away on Wednesday evening, February 22, 2016, at UMass-Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.   Ernie is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Phyllis (Franco) Favulli. He also leaves their devoted children, Lucille M. Richards and her husband Ralph of Montana, Ernest H. Favulli, Jr. and his wife Terry of Shrewsbury; a granddaughter, Michelle T. Favulli, a grandson Christopher T. Favulli; a sister, Stella Dintino of Worcester; many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his brothers, Joseph and Henry Favulli.  Ernie, a lifelong Worcester resident, was the son of the late Henry E. and Mary (Bucciaglia) Favulli.   Ernie served with pride in the United States Army, during World War II, as a corporal with the U.S. Army Engineers, 988th Treadway Bridge Company.  He helped in the construction of a bridge across the Rhine River, at the time of the Remeagan Bridge Battle. This bridge was the first military bridge constructed since the time of Napoleon. For his efforts in the construction, he was awarded the Bronze Star and five Battle Stars.   Ernie was a Worcester Police Officer for thirty-six years, before retiring in 1985.  His assignments included the Shrewsbury Street and Lake Quinsigamond beats, motor patrol, and the School Safety Division.  He was a founding member of the Worcester Police Color Guard, a past President of the Worcester Police Department Archangel Guild, a founding member of the Worcester Police Relief Association, a member of the Worcester branch of the Massachusetts Police Association, the Worcester Police Department Credit Union, and the Worcester County Retiree Police and Fire Association.   Upon his retirement, he was presented a “Key to The City”, by then Mayor Joseph Tinsley, on behalf of the City Council, for his years of dedicated service as a Worcester Police Officer.  He was presented a plaque by the School Committee in appreciation for “Many Years of Service to the Youth of the City of Worcester”.  In 1983, he was presented the Howard Pyle Award by the Central Mass Safety Council, for “Meritorious Safety Achievement By An Individual”.   Ernie worked for nearly forty years as the Safety Officer, during calling hours, and was one of the original funeral attendants and assistants to Mr.  Louis Mercadante at Mercadante Funeral Home.  He was presented a Mantle Clock from the funeral home in 1998, for his many years of dedicated and compassionate service to the families served by the funeral home.   He was a member of the former Saint Margaret Mary Church and St. Anne’s Church in Shrewsbury.   Calling Hours for Ernie will be held on Sunday, February 26, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.    His Funeral will be held on Monday, February 27, from the funeral home, departing at 9:40 a.m. in procession for a 10 a.m. Mass at Saint Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike Road (route 9 east), Shrewsbury.  Interment will follow in Saint John’s Cemetery, Worcester.