Ernest Norman Smalley

Ernest Norman “Ernie” Smalley, Jr. passed away unexpectedly on November 2nd, 2023 at

WellSpan York Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, of complications from Acute Myeloid Leukemia

and COVID-19. He was 72. Ernie was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey on March 24, 1951 to

Hilda (Neugebauer) and Ernest N. Smalley, Sr., and grew up in Bricktown, NJ. Upon his 1969

graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years, one of

which was as an infantryman in Vietnam. He attained the rank of SP4 and was honorably

discharged in 1971.

On November 6th, 1976 Ernie married Roseanne Washam in South Orange, NJ, and the very

next day they moved to their beloved Vermont. In 1983 they built their family home on Journey’s

End in Mendon, where they lived for 38 years and raised their three children.

After having worked for several local builders, Ernie decided to strike out on his own and formed

Smalley Company, Inc. in Rutland. He purchased Holmes Iron Works and renovated the historic

foundry to include new office space and shop for Smalley Contractors and other tenants; he

named it Steel Square. Ernie was proud of the innumerable new construction projects,

renovation improvements, and historical restorations his crews completed in Vermont, New York

and New Hampshire over a period of 40 years. Smalley Contractors was a multiple recipient of

the Roger Brown Award. He and Roseanne retired in 2021 and relocated to York, PA to be

closer to their cherished granddaughter, Emmy.

Ernie was a loyal member of the VFW, Elks and Rutland Country Club, and served as president

of the VT chapter of the Associated General Contractors.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Roseanne of York, PA, and his three children:

Loren Smalley and her husband, Juan Marquez, and their daughter Emerson Walsh of

Shrewsbury, PA, and sons Drew Smalley of Bend, OR, and Jay Smalley and his wife, Haley

Holden of Waterboro, ME. Ernie is also survived by his father-in-law, Patrick Washam of New

Brunswick, NJ, and sisters-in-law, Heidi Washam Baker and her husband, Ron, of Middlesex,

NJ, and Patricia Washam Williams Kelley, and her husband, Earl, of Rutland, VT. His beloved

nieces Annelise Baker Drecolias (Michael), Jennifer Parker (Dana), and Sarah Williams, and

nephews Russell Baker (Vanessa) and Mark Williams, Jr. (Kelly) will miss him dearly, as will

members of the Neugebauer family.

Ernie was predeceased by his parents, his infant sister, Linda, his brother, Douglas Kim, his

uncle, Emil Neugebauer, his aunt Hope (Smalley) Prather, his mother-in-law, Inge Washam, and

his brother-in-law, Mark J. Williams, Sr.

A small family service was held November 8th at Heffner Funeral Chapel in York PA, followed

by burial with full military honors at Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, PA. A

Celebration of Life will be held in 2024 in Vermont, at which all will be invited to pay final

respects. A notice will be published in the obituary section of a future edition of the Rutland

Herald.

Ernie spent countless hours serving with distinction as Chair of the Stafford Technical Center

Board of Directors for many years. His leadership, experience, and guidance helped transform

STC into a highly-desired educational destination for the skilled trades. As such, the ERNEST N.

SMALLEY SCHOLARSHIP has been established for future students. To honor his memory, his

family humbly asks that you consider a contribution in his name to help continue his legacy.

Donations may be mailed to Stafford Technical Center, 8 Stratton Road, Rutland, VT 05701.

Ernie would be most honored and grateful.

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