Ernest James Elia (Ernie) went to his heavenly home on Sunday morning, September 27, 2020, in Vacaville, California.  He was born to Ernest A. and Genevieve M. Elia (Chairito) on November 19, 1939, in Fresno, California. Ernie grew up in the Napa area, graduating from Napa High School in 1957 and Napa Community College in 1959 with his Associates Degree in Business.  Following his graduation, he worked at Mare Island Naval Shipyard from 1960 to 1990 when he retired. During his early years at Mare Island, he served as part of the US Army reserves.  Ernie married Johann M. Elia (Liebig) on March 14, 1966, and shared 54 happy years of marriage, celebrating their 50 ^th anniversary in 2016 with a second wedding ceremony that included those dearest to them.  Following their marriage, they settled in Napa, California, where they started a family.  In 1977, they built a custom home on a ranch in Winters, California, where they lived until 1999, moving to Vacaville to retire and enjoy being close to their grandchildren. Ernie was very active in the life of his grandchildren, as family was very important to him. He was also very involved in his church where he served as an usher, deacon, Sunday school superintendent, camp director, and most notably as a Sunday School teacher for 30 years. He was an avid 49er fan and a corvette enthusiast, owning several corvettes and was a founding member of a corvette club called the Corvettes of Nappa Valley.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Genevieve Elia, and father and mother in-law August and Martha Liebig.  He is survived by his wife, Johann; by his daughters and son-in-law, Tina and Dave Jackson of Vacaville, California, and Toni Lewis of Garden Grove, California; and his grandchildren, Kevin (KC) Yost, Caleb Yost, Tyler Lewis, Todd Lewis, Taylor Lewis, Charla Cassady, Barrett Jackson, Braun Jackson, and Cherish Plazinich.

Ernie was buried in Vacaville Elmira Cemetery on Thursday, October 1, 2020, following a small family service at Vaca Hills Chapel to celebrate his life.  The service was officiated by Greg Davidson, Sr. Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church.  A Memorial Service is planned at Trinity Baptist Church at a future date.