Ernest C. Renn, Jr.

Ernest C. Renn, Jr., 77, of Kingston, NY, entered into eternal rest on Friday, October 30th, 2026 at home.

A son of the late Ernest C. Renn and Agnes T. (Wolfeil) Naccarato, he was born on February 2nd, 1949 in Kingston.

Ernie attended Kingston schools and began his life of service by joining the army in 1967. He served as a clerk, returning to Kingston after his military years. In 1970 he married the love of his life, Jeanette Hofbauer, and in 1971 began serving the community as a Kingston professional firefighter. For the next thirty years, Ernie selflessly cared for friends, family, and complete strangers. He led the fire department’s building safety and fire prevention bureaus, was promoted to lieutenant, captain, and ultimately to deputy chief. Ernie also served as Union President of K.P.F.F.A. Local 461; his dedication to the fire service’s highest principles inspired several generations of firefighters to focus outside themselves and into the community. In the latter years of his career, Ernie also worked part-time as a sergeant in security at Benedictine Hospital.

Upon retiring, Ernie continued serving when he began caregiving for his wife, Jeanette after she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. He tirelessly cared for Jeanette at home, then visited her DAILY for over ten years when she moved into nursing care. Ernie continued to work in security at Northern Dutchess Hospital until retiring “for good” in 2020. His devotion to Jeanette inspired many people to cherish their loved ones and to value the gift of time.

Ernie’s hobbies included model trains, hunting, fishing, Harley motorcycle riding, rooting for the New York Yankees and watching Ancient Aliens. He was a HAM Radio enthusiast and was extremely tech savvy. Ernie was kind, loving, and quintessentially GOOD. He will be missed by his family but also by the world at large.

Ernie is survived by his two sons, Ernest C. Renn III (Tina Meschi) and Brian Renn (Jen Hunderfund), both of Kingston, by his brother, Stephen Nacarrato, of Cairo, NY and by his aunt, Janice Wolfeil, of Kingston. Many nieces, nephews, and friends also survive. Ernie was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Jeanette, his brother, Joseph Berardi, his sisters, Ruth (Berardi) Aurand and Joann Naccarato, and by his uncle, Frank Wolfeil.

The family will receive friends at Keyser Funeral Service, 326 Albany Avenue, Kingston, on Monday, November 9th, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial and inurnment will follow privately.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer's Association of the Hudson Valley.