UTSCH, ERNEST JR.

UTSCH, ERNEST JR., 90, of Cape May passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 13, 2013. The UTSCH family came to Cape May for its fishing as his father Ernest Sr. loved his fishing. They rented a summer place on Yacht Avenue in Cape May, liked it so much, that in 1943, midway through WW II they built a house in the Schellengers’ Landing area just outside of the City of Cape May. There the family could fish and farm. Ernie enlisted in the US Army and soon became a translator because of his German/Irish background in the 2nd Armored Division in an M-4 Sherman Tank. He landed in Normandy on his 21st birthday, served in The Battle of the Bulge, and before wars’ end he would earn a Purple Heart for his service. After the war Ernie went to work for Sun Oil Company until his father, Ernie Sr., offered him the opportunity to become a candy maker and learn the trade. Soon they were making fudge, caramels bon bons, clear sugar Easter Toys and every other type of homemade candy imaginable. The summers in Cape May continued and eventually they had a Party Boat named the “Gertrude W.” , built in Cape May by Ernest Pharo and Sons on Lafayette Street. He and his Dad sold the Gertrude W and bought another boat, the “Tern”, which was also suited to commercial fishing. This led Ernie Jr to build their own marina which opened in 1951, so with the help of his father, the dream was launched. Soon the marina expanded to a point where there was no time for his own boat and the family migrated from Philadelphia to live full time down the shore in the Cape May area. The marina constantly expanded to the point where he took both his sons as partners who operate the marina to this day. Ernie never completely retired, and continued to keep a hand in the business until his passing. He was so proud of both his sons and took much joy in the fact they took over the business and were his partners. He truly loved all his children, Ernie III, named after him and his father, Charles P, named after his wife’s father and Rose Marie, named after his wife. Ernie joined the masons in Philadelphia becoming a member of St Johns Lodge in Philadelphia. After both his sons became Masons, he became a duel member in Cape Island Lodge #30. He was a 32 degree mason in The Valley of Southern New Jersey belonging to Excelsior Consistory in Collingwood where his son, presiding in the East, gave him is 18th degree. He is predeceased by his wife, Rose Marie Utsch (nee Koehler) and his two sisters, Doris Knade and Sarah Doell. Ernie will be dearly missed by his loving family which includes his daughter, Rose Marie (and Robert) Artley; two sons, Ernest, III (and Janice) Utsch and Charles (and Barbara) Utsch; three grandchildren, Rachel, Ashley and Chad; his longtime companion and love, Anne Collins. Visitation will take place on Thursday evening from 6PM to 8PM at the Spilker Funeral Home, 815 Washington St., Cape May with Masonic Service beginning at 8PM. Interment will take place on Friday at 11:30AM in West Laurel Hill Cem., Bala Cynwyd, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Rose M. Utsch Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Utsch’s Marina 1121 Route 109, Cape May, NJ 08204. Info and condolences: spilkerfuneralhome.com