WASHINGTON — Ernest Adams Hooper passed away at his home in Washington on Thursday, March 26, surrounded by his loving wife and his daughters. Ernest was born on September 12, 1933, in Liberty, Maine, to his parents Fred and Mary Adams Hooper. Ernest attended and graduated from schools in Liberty.

Ernest married the love of his life, Ernestine, on April 4, 1953, making their home in Liberty and later settling in Washington, where he resided until his death.

To say Ernest was a hard worker is an understatement. Ernest started working on his grandparents' farm as a child in Liberty and worked until he was 82 years old, driving dump trucks for his grandson Scott. Throughout the years, Ernest had several professions. His first job away from the family farm was working in the woods, cutting lumber and driving the pulp truck to Belfast to be loaded onto trains.

Ernest earned his driver's license at 16 without having a road test, showing up for his driver's test in the pulp truck, to the amazement of the driving instructor, who told him, "If you can drive that, you can drive anything." For many years, Ernest owned a dump truck and small excavation business, and proudly held a Class A license until his passing. Ernest held long-time employment with Marriner's Asphalt and Paving, BM Clark, and CC Banks. Ernest also worked as a school bus driver while his children attended local schools, and later as Road Commissioner for the town of Washington. Many locals proclaimed that Ernest maintained some of the most pristine and safe roads for their residents.

Ernest enjoyed many things in life, most importantly spending time with his family, whom he adored. Ernest took pride in maintaining an immaculate home, a flawless dandelion-free lawn, and spotless vehicles. Ernest would often tease his grandchildren, telling them their cars could use a wash. Throughout the years, Ernest would travel south with Ernestine to spend time with family and friends. Ernest owned many campers and traveled with Ernestine, his favorite trips being to Campobello Island in Canada, Deer Lake, and Lake St. George State Park in Liberty. Ernest looked forward to his yearly trips to Cathedral Pines in Eustis with his daughter Beverly, granddaughter Cheryl, and his great-grandchildren.

For many years on Memorial Day weekend, Ernest and his grandson Ernie, his namesake, would plant a large vegetable garden, which would always yield plentiful crops that he would later put up for winter. Ernest enjoyed deer hunting, the harvest feeding his family, and in 1996 was awarded a moose permit, leading to a successful hunt with his son Wayne in northern Maine.

Ernest enjoyed a wide variety and scale of building projects. Ernest spent many weekends and nights after work building his home in Washington, completing the family home in 1969. Always willing to lend a helping hand, Ernest was involved in various projects for his family. Mechanics and auto restoration was not only a profession but a hobby that brought Ernest joy, including fixing up a 1959 Thunderbird, with his son Larry. Ernest loved hosting his family; every holiday, Ernest and Ernestine opened their home to their ever-growing family. After large family meals, Ernest would often make a family favorite: his homemade vanilla ice cream.

Ernest's grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his greatest joys. Ernest's home and life revolved around weekend sleepovers, afternoon drop-offs, and various activities he relished attending. In his later years, you'd often find Ernest and Ernestine spending afternoons sitting together in their sunroom, watching birds that came to the bird feeders he had built himself, waiting on daily visits from his friends, or reading Uncle Henry's as well as local papers. Ernest enjoyed spending time with his many friends, including his lifelong friend Alvin Pease; dear friends Gene and Irene Frost; Alfred Leigh; and Dick Castonguary.

Ernest was predeceased by his parents; his brother Doug and Doug's wife Marie; his son Wayne; his son-in-law Harley Wallace; and his grandsons Ronald Weeks Jr. and Joshua Weston.

Ernest is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Ernestine; his son Lawrence Hooper and his wife Tamra; daughter Beverly Weston and her husband Joe; and daughter Kathleen Wallace; Grandchildren: Cheryl and Scott Stackpole, Kristen Weeks and Codey Woods, Ernie and Natasha Wallace, Christopher and Anna Hooper, Katie Hooper and Matthew Bolduc, Ashley and Zachary Fields, and Luke Weston and Nicole Libby; great-grandchildren: Kylie Weeks; Lily, Abby, and Emma Stackpole; Trent and Tenlee Wallace; Summer and Zachary Weston; Leland, Lyla, and Laxton Fields; and Hazel and Adelaide Hooper.

The family will hold a graveside service to celebrate Ernest's life on Monday, May 18, at 11 a.m., at Pine Grove Cemetery, in Montville.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, 949 Main Street, Waldoboro. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.