Greenfield Center, NY – Ernest Stephen Chamberlin passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2017. He was born July 4, 1928 and was a lifelong resident of Greenfield Center and lived his entire life in the home he was born and raised in.

During his high school years, Ernie worked nights and weekends at Crawley's Sunoco filling station at the corner of Church and Clinton Streets in Saratoga Springs. After high school he worked at the Harvey Co. (pharmaceutical) for a short time and then went to GE in Schenectady.

Ernie worked mainly as a welder on production and maintenance with numerous certifications at one time for work on atomic motors that were used on the aircraft carrier Enterprise and certification for work on steam generating boilers and associated tubing and piping.  His service at GE includes a credit of two years for time spent in the US Army during the Korean Conflict serving with Occupational Forces in Germany.  In February, 1954, after two years active duty with eighteen months overseas, Ernie was transferred to the Reserve and received an honorable discharge with the rank of Corporal in 1960. His employment at GE lasted 34 years before retiring.

A Greenfield Fireman for 41 years, Ernie worked his way up through the ranks to become Chief of the four company department from 1956 to 1967. After leaving his post as chief, he worked for several years as a Saratoga County Deputy Fire Coordinator under County Coordinator Barney Baker.

Ernie was a member of the Greenfield Center Baptist Church, a trustee for twenty seven years and chairman of the board for seventeen years. He also spent ten years as President of the Greenfield Cemetery Association.

An original member of the Town of Greenfield Planning Board for ten years, Ernie left the board in 1984 to become a town councilman until 2005. In 1999 Ernie successfully spearheaded a project to erect a veteran's monument in a small park in Greenfield Center. This is dedicated to the men and women from the Town of Greenfield who served their country.

Ernie had many interests and hobbies. He was a long standing member of the SaraSpa Rod and Gun Club and ran the skeet field for several years. He spent countless hours reloading ammunition and casting bullets. In addition he loved camping, hunting, fishing, fly tying and cross country skiing. On December 29, 1969 he married his beautiful bride, the late Gertrude K. (Kenyon) Powers who was just as enthusiastic about the great outdoors as Ernie was. Together they spent many years doing all the activities they loved, content in each other's company until Gert passed away on January 4, 2014. Ernie and Gert enjoyed a very special loving relationship. Often seen holding hands, sitting together and always considerate of each other's feeling, they were of one heart.

In addition to his wife Gertrude, Ernie was predeceased by his parents Wallace E. and Helen W. (Darrow) Chamberlin; sister and brother-in-law Fern A. and Thomas C. Hall; brother-in-law Henry E. Hall and son Thomas F. Powers.

Survivors include his sister, Virginia J. Hall; daughter-in-law Katherine Powers; son Richard L. Powers and his wife Jodie and several nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind many people whose friendships he always cherished.

Ernest Stephen Chamberlin was a very special, gentle and unselfish man. He will be greatly missed.

Relatives and friends may call from 10am to 12noon on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff, Inc. Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

A funeral service will be celebrated at 12noon by Pastor Ryan Lunsford. Burial will follow at Greenfield Cemetery, Greenfield Center, NY.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefunerlahome.com