Ernest "Ernie" Cerino

Ernest “Ernie” Cerino, 95, of the Trenton and Hamilton area, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Rose Hill Assisted Living in Robbinsville after a brief illness.

Born in Central City, Pennsylvania, Ernie lived in New Jersey for eight decades. He served four years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Cavalier and in Yokosuka, Japan. He later retired after 36 years with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority as a Superintendent.

A faithful member of St. Anthony’s Parish for 67 years, Ernie quietly and diligently supported his church and many local community efforts. Always ready to help a friend or a worthy cause, he remained active in the Hamilton Township and Mercer County Democratic organizations and served with distinction on the Hamilton Township Planning and Zoning Boards. He held leadership roles in his community, was a longtime member of the Baron Athletic Association and the Italian American Sportsman Club, and belonged to the USS Cavalier Association as well as numerous charitable and philanthropic groups.

Predeceased by his parents, Santo and Elizabeth (Muro) Cerino; his wife of 45 years, Ann (Caserta) Cerino; a brother, Christopher Cerino; three sisters, Genevieve Cerino, Sandra (Cerino) Biriki, and Jean (Cerino) Ryan; a brother-in-law, Charles Ryan; and a sister-in-law, Marie Cerino, Ernie is survived by his daughter, Linda Cerino; two sons, Ernest Jr. and his wife Marie Mascherin, and Bruce and his wife Lisa; five grandchildren, Courtney Novak, John Novak and his wife Danielle, Ryan Cerino, Nicholas Cerino, and Christian Cerino; and a great-grandchild, Stella Novak. He also leaves numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family throughout greater Trenton, Pittsburgh, and Daytona Beach, as well as first cousins in Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan, and Villa Rosa, Sicily, with whom he enjoyed many holidays and summers in retirement.