Ernest Lewis Tamburri passed peacefully at home on August 2nd, 2025. He was born January 4, 1933 in Uniontown, PA to Delfo and Grace Tamburri and was raised there with his younger sister, Marlene. He attended Penn State University where his studies were in the department of Counseling Education. While there, he became a brother of Theta Kappa Phi fraternity. His studies were put on hold when he was drafted into the Army. He was based in Germany where he became skilled at repairing military communications equipment. Two years later, he later resumed his studies and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from Penn State in 1957.

During his Master’s of Science degree studies at Penn State, he entered an internship in the rehabilitation counseling department at the LF Flick State Hospital in Cresson, PA. It was there where he met his future wife, Elizabeth Kolonay, who held a secretarial position at the hospital. They were married in 1960 and settled in Windber, PA. They later moved to Boonton, NJ after he accepted a teaching position at Seton Hall University. He later went on to complete his Doctorate in Education at New York University. They raised 4 children on Roosevelt Avenue where he was known as “The Professor” in the days when kids played in the street and porch gatherings were spontaneous.

He loved annual summer vacations with his family on Long Beach Island, NJ and followed his favorite teams, the NY Yankees, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penn State Nittany Lions and the Seton Hall Pirates.

Upon his retirement, he learned the art of crafting stained glass and made many beautiful creations including light fixtures and kitchen cabinet door panels. He loved gardening, fishing, reading, and travelling in Europe and the States with his beloved wife and friends. He also doted on his 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren who knew him as PopPop.

Ernest is predeceased by his parents and his daughter, Maria Callahan. He is survived by the love of his life, Elizabeth, his children, Vincent Tamburri, Stephanie Langan (John), and Paul Tamburri (Grace), son-in-law Eric Callahan, his nine grandchildren Jessica Meyer (Devin), Zachary Callahan (Megan), Joshua Callahan (Angelica); Amelia, Abigail, and Jack Langan; and Isabelle, Brenna, and Andrew Tamburri; and his four great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Emily Meyer, Magdalene Callahan, and Jude Callahan. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/

A Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday August 9, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Boonton, followed by burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Boonton.