Ernest R. Bellardini Jr., 58, passed away peacefully at his home on February 19, 2019.  He was born in Oswego, NY on May 3, 1960 to Ernest and Mary Bellardini.  He attended St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo from the age of four years coming home to Oswego on most weekends and all holidays and summers.  While at St. Mary's he was part of the generation of deaf children who transitioned from American Sign Language (ASL) to Total Communication.  Never completely satisfying his struggle to have conversations with those he loved most.  He enjoyed being with family and friends especially with any who would give him a hearing with patience.  He graduated from St. Mary's and after high school went on to study at NTID at RIT in Rochester.  He worked as a draftsman in Baldwinsville for a while. After his internship, he moved on to working as a handyman, photographer, and artist. Most employers would soon find it too frustrating to communicate.

Ernie loved his friends and family very much and enjoyed meeting for picnics, get-togethers, playing cards, discussion, history, art, and movies (old and new). He was an accomplished acrylic painter.

In his teens, Ernie would dress in baggy pants, crumpled white shirt, black jacket, bow tie, and derby (hat) carrying a very thin bamboo cane and join the annual Oswego 4 ^th of July parade doing Charlie Chaplin's duckwalk and swinging that cane.  He would fill his pockets with hard candy to throw out to the children along the route.  For a few years not many people knew who it was.

Ernie traveled to Ireland in 2001 with his mother and brother Howard, visiting both O'Neil and Barry grandparents' family homes.  It was the great adventure to see Dublin's Trinity College, Blarney Castle, and experience the ocean right outside doors of family homes.

Ernie spent much time with his grandmother Assunta Bellardini, and learned how to cook family favorites; lasagna, homemade noodles, sauce, and meatballs.  He enjoyed feeding friends when able.

Ernie loved his religion and accepted the very existence of Jesus Christ as his Savior.  He was predeceased by his brother Anthony and sister Angela.  Ernie is survived by his parents, his brothers Christopher (Anne), Martin (Carol), and Howard all of Oswego.  Also survived by nephews Michael, Matthew, Dominick, Jacob, niece Maria, aunts, uncles, many cousins, many close friends, many who may be deaf or hard of hearing and many who are not.

Calling hours will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 Sunday, at the Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home, 112 East Second Street in Oswego.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 Monday, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Minetto.

Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to We The Deaf People, 1900 Clinton Avenue South, Unit 18044, Rochester, NY, 44618. Checks should be made payable to Matthew Moore, President – WTDP.