Ernest Richard Padilla

Ernest Richard Padilla was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico on April 9, 1916 to Juan & Ida Padilla. At the age of 9 he and his family moved to Denver, Colorado. It was in Denver that he married his wife, Adelia Dominguez, in 1936; they were married 53 years.After moving to Denver, Colorado, Ernest started working as a young man for the WPA during the depression and he helped to build the famous Red Rock's Amphitheater in Golden, Colorado. He worked as a tramway driver for many years. In 1952, he and his wife and three children moved to Whittier, California where he began a successful career with Todd Shipyard as a crane operator, eventually being promoted to shop steward until his retirement at age 66. Ernest lived in Whittier until the Lord called him home on May 27, 2012.Ernest had many interests, which included bowling, fishing, boating, traveling, hunting, painting, dancing, working on small electronics, and a love of animals and wildlife. He was a long-time parish member of St. Gregory's Roman Catholic Church, Whittier. He was also a member of a bowling league and the Senior Center in Whittier.He is survived by his three children Jeanette Padilla, Elaine Padilla, and Richard Neuman; brother Edwin Padilla, six grandchildren David Matoian, Kelly Kirby, Lorrie Padilla-Zellmer, Sharon Matoian, Cathy Drago, and Michael Padilla and five great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. A vigil service will be held on Thursday evening, May 31, 2012 at 7:00PM at St. Gregory's Catholic Church, Whittier. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012 at 10:00AM at St. Gregory's Catholic Church. Interment will immediately follow the funeral mass at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier.