September 27, 1934 – July 29, 2023

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our family’s patriarch, Ernst F. Hauer on Saturday, July 29, 2023 under the care of hospice with his wife and daughter at his side.

He was born in Nuremburg, Germany on September 27, 1934 to Ferdinand and Hildegard (Eckstein) Hauer. He achieved his Master Mechanic Certification through the Siemens Corporation while playing semi-professional soccer and emigrated to Canada in 1958 where he met his future wife Patricia in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The couple were married in Hamilton, Ontario on New Year’s Eve 1960 and the couple moved to Massena, New York where he began his 34 years with the General Motors Corporation. He was a lifetime member of the UAW, the Elks Club and spent many seasons as a member of the Massena Country Club with his foursome buddies, Gerry and Bobby St. Germaine, Jim Rische, Tom Sinclair, Grant Badger and Carter Montross. He loved his years in the Seaway Bowling League, playing chess and pinocle, babysitting his grand and great grandchildren, long morning walks and “hashing it” with anyone who stopped by for a visit. He became an American citizen in 1967.

Ernst, or Ernie to all who knew him, and Patricia raised their four children in Massena, being especially proud of the achievements of his first generation American family.

He was additionally a founding member of the Massena Minor Soccer Association in the 1970’s, coaching for 11 years, 10 of which were championship seasons. He was known for his no-nonsense parenting style, having the ability to provide a nickname for anyone who crossed his path, “blending in” and making the world’s best egg salad sandwich.

He retired from GM in 1994 where he began splitting his time between Massena and Naples, Florida, where he and Patricia spent 29 years basking in the sun.

Ernst is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Patricia, his daughter Susan (Kyle), sons Christopher (Deborah), Michael (Jill), five grandchildren-Caitlin (Ryan), Georges (Chelsea), Siobhan (Thomas), Rowan and Michaela and his seven great grandchildren-Mary Ann, Mason and Myles, Ellie and Anna and Ceallaigh and Georgia, his sister Gunthilde Riepl and nephew Klaus. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother-in-law Hans, and his beloved daughter Mary Ann.

A Celebration of Life will be held later in the Fall. Please, take a moment, raise a glass and toast an incredible husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and most importantly, friend.