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Ernest James Makowski, excellent athlete

January 12, 2021

Ernest James Makowski, 93, of Seaford passed away Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, at the Manor House in Seaford.  He was born Sept. 13, 1927, in Glen Lyon, Pa., to the late Ernest J. Makowski and Helen (Petcavage) Makowski.

Ernie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Nan; his mother and father; his sister, Edna; and his brother, Eugene.

He graduated from Southern High School in Baltimore, Md., in June 1945.  He was president of his class, vice president of SGA, and received the American Legion Citizenship Award at graduation.

Ernie was captain of Southern High’s football, basketball and baseball teams.  He was widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in the history of Baltimore City.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.  He served on board the destroyer U.S.S. E.F. Larson DDR 830.  He played basketball and baseball for the Fargo Building in Boston, Mass.

Ernie won the Baltimore City football championship playing for the Curtis Bay Athletic Club.  He won the city basketball championship with the Brooklyn Athletic Club.  He won the Eastern Shore basketball championship with the Laurel Owls.

He married his high school sweetheart, Nan Keller, in 1947.  They enjoyed 61 years of marriage.

He graduated from Western Maryland College in 1952 under the G.I. Bill.  He played on the WMC basketball team and was president of Delta Pi Alpha fraternity, while he and Nan lived in Vetville.

He started working for DuPont in Seaford in February 1952.  He retired from DuPont as section supervisor Jan. 1, 1985, with 32 years service.

Ernie served on the Seaford school board and was chairman of Seaford Planning and Zoning Commission.  He coached Little League baseball and basketball for many years.

His social life revolved around the golf course.  He was a skilled golfer, with several holes-in-one.  The foursome of Ernie, Vance Kessler, Jim Young and Dave Mayer was a fixture for many years at the SG & CC.

Ernie was known as a true gentleman to all who knew him.  He was devoted to his sons and grandsons, never missing a practice, never missing a game.  He loved and adored his great-grandsons, Keller and Madden.  He cherished those boys as the apple of his eye.

He is survived by his sons, Michael A. Makowski and his wife Traci of Millsboro, and Thomas E. Makowski and his partner Susan Isaacs of Beaverton, Ore.; his grandsons, Jeremy Makowski, also of Millsboro, and Jesse Makowski and his wife Kimberly of Milton; and his great-grandsons, Keller and Madden Makowski, also of Milton. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Barbara Makowski of Port Orange, Fla., and Mary Alice Keller of Willow Street, Pa.; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved very much.

At Ernie’s request there will be no viewing.  On Tuesday, Jan. 19, a funeral service at 12:30 p.m. will be held at Cranston Funeral Home, 300 Shipley St., Seaford.  A committal service with full military honors will follow in the chapel of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Patriots Way, Millsboro. Due to COVID-19, a face mask and social distancing will be required.

To leave a condolence visit www.cranstonfuneralhome.com

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