Ernest J. Jelcich, Age 85 of Palisades Park, passed away, Sunday, August 18^th, 2024.  He was also known to all as “Nono”, Zio, and Ernie.  He was born in Trget, Istria, where he met his beloved wife Josephine “Pina”.  They married in February of 1962 and have one daughter.  Shortly thereafter, they immigrated to the United States, first to Cliffside Park, and eventually settling in Palisades Park.  Ernest was a hardworking man, a devoted husband and father who wanted more for his family, during those years of working as a Plant Manager he also obtained his Bachelor’s Degree at Fairleigh Dickenson for Engineering specializing in Electrical with a minor in Mathematics.  He finally retired at the age of 70 from J. Josephson’s in Moonachie, NJ after more than 25 years of service, to enjoy his time with his wife and his devotion to his two treasures in life his granddaughters who were the light of his eyes.  He cherished in watching his granddaughters grow up and became everyone’s Nono during those years, he enjoyed his gardening and traveling to Croatia where he loved revisiting earlier in life with his family and later in life with his granddaughters and showing them his life prior to the USA and spending time with his family and friends still in Croatia. Unfortunately, his desired trip this summer never came true.

Loving husband to Josephine (nee: Gobo), cherished father to Thea Zanfabro and her husband Ezio who he treasured like a son and who he watched work hard to achieve his dreams. He was and always will be the proud of his “son” Ezio Zanfabro of Atlas Masonry, LLC.  Loving Grandfather to Katrina (nee: Zanfabro) Berger and her Husband Jonathan and his loving great grandson Thomas J. Berger, and Nicole Zanfabro (both formerly of Ridgefield, NJ).

He also leaves behind his surviving adoring Sister-in-Laws, Angela Vlacich, Ottavia Rajkovic and her husband Ecio, Olga Jelcich, predeceased by his brother – Bruno); Brother-in-law Giordano Gobo and his wife Margie, cousins Marica Rajkovic and Ines and Mario Glavicic.  And his numerous nieces and nephews both her in the USA, Australia and Croatia who he has always cherished and enjoyed.

The Family will receive their friends at Frank A. Patti & Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Directors, 327 Main Street, Fort Lee, NJ.

On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from 4 – 8 p.m. and Thursday, August 22, 2024 – 9 a.m. Morning for final prayers at Frank A. Patti & Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Directors.  Celebration Mass will be at 10 a.m. at St. Michaels in Palisades Park 10 a.m. and final burial procession at Madonna Cemetery.