Ernest Pye, 82, of Dartmouth died Thursday, January 26, 2006, at St. Luke’s Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of Nancy (Ryan) Pye; they celebrated their 57th anniversary in August.
Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late George and Jane (Hitchon) Pye. Mr. Pye was a master plumber who owned and operated Ernest Pye Plumbing and Heating for 20 years before retirement. He was a Past President of the New Bedford Master Plumbers Association and a member of the South Dartmouth Salt Water Anglers. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, gardening and dancing.
Mr. Pye was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy Armed Guard as a Gunners’ Mate on several Liberty Ships. Mr. Pye was very proud of his service and attended several Navy Armed Guard reunions. An article he wrote about the U. S. Navy Armed Guard was published last Memorial Day in the New Bedford Standard-Times.
Mr. Pye is survived by his widow; a son, James Pye, and his wife Elizabeth of New Bedford; four grandchildren, Katie E. Pye, James R. Pye, and Holly M. Pye, all of Dartmouth, and Jameson E. Pye of New Bedford; two great-grandchildren; a nephew, Ernest Pye of New Bedford; and his late son’s fiancée, Dina Amaral of Dartmouth.
Mr. Pye was predeceased by a son, George A. Pye, who succumbed to cancer on September 11, 2005. He was brother of the late George and Joseph Pye.
His Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 2, 2006 at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Church, Dartmouth. Burial with military honors will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Friday, February 3, 2006 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115.