With heavy hearts we say goodbye to our beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend Ernest (Ernie) A. Trunzo, who left us far too soon but filled our lives with immeasurable love and joy. Born with cerebral palsy, he faced challenges, but he was never defined by them. It was his abilities and positive attitude that made him the heart of our family. The bond he shared with his father was the greatest of all. They were each other’s purpose in this world; the purest source of love, strength and resilience.
Ernie, affectionally known as Bubby to us, was born on April 11, 1967, and left us on March 2, 2025, at the young age of 57. From the moment of his birth, he was surrounded by unwavering love every day of his life and until the very end. Bubby was cherished, celebrated, and adored because he was a gift to all of us. His spirit was unbreakable, his smile was contagious, and his presence lit up every room.
His passion for life was evident in everything he did. He loved all things Harley-Davidson, WWE wrestling, was Clemson football's biggest fan, and a Giants fan, but only when they were winning. During the warmer months, you could always find him outside with his dad working in the yard. He loved using his leaf blower attached to his wheelchair to clear the leaves, and in his younger years, driving the John Deere tractor. His pride in lawn maintenance was inherited directly from his father. He loved watching movies, TV shows, singing his heart out to Grease, The Greatest Showman, and Burlesque, and his mom’s cooking, especially her broccoli rabe.
More than anything, he adored his five nieces, Alexandra Becker, Jacklyn Becker, Dakotah Nuro, Nicolette Becker, and Hailey Nuro, who brought him endless joy, love, and laughter. They were his world, and he was theirs.
Though our hearts ache in his absence, we find comfort in knowing that he is at peace, not in pain or suffering anymore. His life is one of courage, love, and the reminder that the greatest lives are not measured by what we achieve but by the love we give and receive, and he had an abundance like no other.
He was predeceased by his father and best friend Ernie, his Uncle Bill and Aunt Fran, and his maternal and paternal grandparents. Surviving is his mother, Natalie DeStefano Trunzo, sisters Dina Trunzo Bogardus (Don), Donna Nuro, Danielle Becker (Steve), his nieces, and many cousins and friends, especially Bryan Moffitt.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the staff of LADACIN (formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Monmouth and Ocean Counties) for providing him with services, therapies, and programs that greatly enhanced his life. For the past 30 years, Bubby lived at Mill Creek Group Home, surrounded by a second family in David, Paul, Audrey, Christine and Angela, along with all the staff who loved and cared for him like their own.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask you to honor Ernie’s memory by donating to LADACIN, specifically for the Mill Creek Group Home. His wish was to see the grounds of the group home landscaped with beautiful shrubs, plants, and a garden space. https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/ladacindonation.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 7th from 4-7pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. A prayer and memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 8th at 10:45am at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown, NJ.
Ride free, Bub. You no longer need your wheelchair. We know the gates of heaven are waiting for you, and there’s a line of loved ones eager to welcome you. You will forever be in our hearts, for eternity. We love you and will miss you dearly.
Comments powered by CComment