Ernest J. Zahner

Ernest John Zahner, 93, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2023. Ernest was born in 1929 in Schwenningen, Germany to Selma and Ernst Zahner and immigrated to the United States at the age of two. In his youth, Ernest was a pilot and learned to fly a plane before he learned to drive a car. Ernest served in the United States Army between 1951 and 1953 and graduated from Columbia University with a degree in biology followed by a doctorate in microbiology from St. John’s University.

Ernest married Loretta in 1962 and had four children whom he loved dearly. Ernest was employed as a cancer researcher before becoming a professor of microbiology at Queensborough Community College where he was a proud union member. As a lifelong naturalist, he was conscientious about feeding his backyard birds and chipmunks every morning. In addition to his love of nature, Ernest was passionate about his hobbies which included meticulously building and flying model airplanes as a longtime member of the Long Island Silent Flyers, collecting stamps, and photography. He enjoyed traveling and cherished the company of his family.

Ernest is survived by his loving wife Loretta and his four children and their spouses: Celia, Evan (Lea), Brendan (Francesca), and Terence (Doris), as well as his eight grandchildren who brought him so much joy: Zachary, Cameron, Emery, Aidan, Gabriella, Mireya, Macken, and Joia.

Visitation will be held at Whitting Funeral Home in Glen Head, NY on Sunday, June 4, 2023, between 2 – 4 pm and 7 – 9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Boniface Martyr Church on Monday, June 5, 2023, at 10 am, followed by interment at Locust Valley Cemetery in Locust Valley, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ernest’s memory to the North Shore Soup Kitchen.