Deacon Ernest Pagliaro

Deacon Ernie Pagliaro was born in Derby, CT on January 19, 1950 and soon moved to Orange, where he lived until going to college. He graduated from the University of Scranton with a B.S. in Sociology in 1971 and received his M.A from St. John's University in 1975. Upon graduating from Scranton he was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Army / U.S. Army Reserve and served for 12 years as an Infantry Officer / Instructor obtaining the rank of Captain.

Deacon Ernie was accepted to the Diaconate formation program in 2005 and after 5 years of discernment and formation instruction was ordained a Permanent Deacon by Archbishop Henry J. Mansell on June 5, 2010. He was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Parish where he is currently involved in the Marriage Preparation Program, Liturgy Committee, RCIA Program, Stewardship Committee and Pastoral Council.

Ernie has been married to his wife Louellen for 38 years. They have 3 children Ernie III, Christopher and Sara, their spouses Mary, Stacey and David and four beautiful grandchildren: Katie, Natalia, Lucia and David. They raised their family in Seymour for 25 years where they were parishioners of St. Augustine Church. Eight years ago, feeling a calling to live a simpler life, they sold their home and moved to Waterbury and became members of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish.

Ernie and his wife have worked with the Family Life Office of the Diocese giving Engaged Couples Conferences and while at St. Augustine's and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel taught Confirmation classes and were Youth Ministers. He has held various other parish positions to include Renew Coordinator for Small Christian Communities, Parish Council President, and member of the Parish Finance Committee. He has also been an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and Lector. He is currently a member of The Militia Immaculata and Family Mary Immaculate promoting consecration to the Blessed Mother, bringing people to Jesus and to the will of God through Mary.

As a lay person Deacon Ernie has worked for over 36 years in the retail packaging industry, where he was president of The Carson Collection and The European Gallery. He was also vice president / general manager of the Hudson Paper Company for 10 years, where he currently works as a regional account executive.