Ernie Dignan, an extraordinary man, 71 years young, passed away peacefully at the Edgewater Hospice Care Center where he received comforting care.
He lived with his devoted wife of 33 years and caregiver, Carol Dignan of Edgewater, FL.
He was the son of the late Charles and Alice Dignan, a brother of the late Charles (Chuck) Dignan and is survived by his brother Laurence “Larry” Dignan and his wife Lynne of Gardner, Ma;
his children: daughter, Sandy Wild and her husband Jeff of Queensbury, N.Y.; his son Carl MacNeal; his stepchildren (who were his kids in his mind); daughter Cheryl Bossel-man and her Fiancé the late Mike Henley of Deltona, FL; his daughter Cindie Pagano and her husband Joe of Framingham, Ma; his daughter Tricia Wood-yard and her husband Tom of Deltona, FL; his son Jim MacDonald and his wife Christine of Natick and his late son Kenny Mac-Donald.
He also is survived by his 21 grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he loved and treasured so much! Ernie was the most amazing and selfless man! His beloved wife was married to him for 33 years.
He learned much acceptance from the recovery program of AA and he would have been sober 35 years on February 4th. This allowed him to fight the brutal battle with ALS for 2 years and 8 months with such dignity and continued humor. He put himself in 6 studies at the Mayo Clinic (one required him to voluntarily have a spinal tap 3 times a year) and included donating his body to help find a cure for this horrible disease. When people asked him why he did this he would say, "It gives me a purpose and it's the right thing to do"!!
He retired from the Daytona Speedway after working security at the racetrack for 10 years......he so loved racing!!! He belonged to SCCA and flagged at races in New England before he moved to Florida in 1997.
His hobbies were writing poetry, watching the races, reading, playing words with friends on his IPad (until ALS took that away from him) and spending as much time with his wife (whom he adored) and enjoying the flower gardens in his backyard. He was a man of "simple pleasures".
His "Celebration of Life" will be held on Saturday, June 27th at noon in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St., at Natick Common.
Donations in Ernie’s memory may be made to the ALS Association Florida Chapter, 3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, FL 33619 in honor of Ernest Dignan or you can go to webfl.alsa.org to donate online.
For directions or to send the family a condolence please visit www.everettfuneral.com