January 24, 1933 - December 25, 2014
COOPERSTOWN - Ernest D. Woodin passed away Thursday evening, December 25, 2014, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. He was 81.
Born on January 24, 1933, in Marseilles, Illinois, Ernie was the third of five children of Eugene and Helen née Morey Woodin. He graduated from Marseilles High School in 1951 where he served as class president. The first in his family to have the opportunity to attend college, he earned his Associate Degree in 1953 at LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby (LPO) Junior College, where he studied pre-veterinary science while working for a local veterinarian. He then went on to attend the University of Illinois but was forced to withdraw after suffering an injury to his foot, and was drafted into the United States Army. Stationed in Germany, he proudly served his country as a water supply specialist with the H&S Co. 5th Engineer Battalion and received his honorable discharge from the military in December 1955.
Following his military service, Ernest embarked on an 18-year career with the phone company starting out as a lineman for Illinois Bell. After successfully completing a test for programming aptitude, he rose from programmer to programming manager, which in turn led to him becoming a programming instructor. In 1964, Ernie came to Cooperstown and taught programming courses for the AT&T Company's Data Communications Training Program held at the Otesaga Hotel. He and his family returned to Illinois in 1966, and later moved to Somerset, New Jersey, where he was "on loan" to Bell Labs. In March of 1972, the Woodins returned to Cooperstown, where Ernest became employed at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in the computer department. He served for many years as the Director of Hospital Information Systems and retired from Bassett in the Spring of 1990.
Ernest is survived by his wife of 57 years, Arlene née Viviani. They were married in their hometown of Marseilles, Illinois, on December 21, 1957. He is further survived by their two children, Beth Torruella and her husband, Reese, of Garner, North Carolina, and Alan Woodin and his wife, Allison, of Cobleskill; three grandchildren, Connor and Logan Torruella and Erika Woodin; a sister, Helen Peek of Ottawa, Illinois, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Martin and Richard, and a sister, Marlene.
Ernest had a life-long love of country living and was skilled at making things with his hands. A master carpenter and woodworker, he built his families first home in Illinois, a garage in Cooperstown, and "Bennie the Burrow", a rocking horse he crafted for his grandchildren. His family will also cherish many other pieces he carved throughout his life. In addition to working with wood, he enjoyed gardening, his Schnauzers and seeing draft horses at the fair. He was a proud "Pa Pa" and spoke often of the accomplishments of his grandchildren in the arts, sports and the classroom. Ernest will be remembered by those who loved him for his desire to take on new challenges. Overall he was truly a great man who lead a wonderful life.
Services will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.
For those who wish to make a memorial gift in memory of Ernest, his family suggests that the following organizations be considered: Cooperstown Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 322, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Friends of Bassett for the benefit of Bassett Medical Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
