Obituary of Ernest J. Antolini

Ernest was born in 1925 in Santa Barbara, California to Blanche and Giovanni Antolini. During WWII Ernest was farming and had a Triple A Deferment, but he felt that he had to do his duty to his country and enlisted in the army. He served with the 24th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theatre during the liberation of the Philippines. In 1945 he was transferred to serve with the Occupation Forces in Japan. He witnessed an historic event when his train in route to Southern Japan went through Hiroshima two months after the atomic bomb was dropped. Ernest never forgot the devastation, but was able to snap a photo (against orders) which he still has on display in his office. After his military service, he joined his brother and father in a joint venture, operating a limestone quarry in Santa Maria, California and marketed as Santa Maria Stone. Ernest married his beloved wife, Ruth in 1954 and moved to Santa Cruz in 1964, where they opened a masonry supply business known as Antolini Co. He was able to find and collect a varied assortment of fossils, particularly from the Santa Maria formation. A special find was that of a giant toothed bird now on display in the Santa Barbara Museum. Ernest loved stone projects and enjoyed building them when his health permitted. After retirement he and Ruth moved to a small old fruit ranch in the country. For him, it was another way to touch the planet earth. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, married for 63 years; son, Jeffrey and wife, Yvette; daughter Denise; grandsons Tate and Conrad, and granddaughter Kylie. Services will be private. To send condolences to the family please mail to 3301 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065, ATTN: Antolini family.