Ernesto Escalante

Known by many names, Panita, Ernie, Feo, Papá, Tío, Viejo, he was always the gentleman.
Ernesto D. Escalante, beloved husband, father, friend, and uncle, passed peacefully at his home on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, with his loving family at his side. Ernesto was born in Lima, Perú on November 29, 1933, to the late Oscar and Felicita (Cesar) Escalante. He was 90 years old at the time of his passing.
The youngest of 5 children, he was playful, full of advice, and a reader of the Bible; adored his mother; was always up to dance a salsa; and loved writing poetry. He had great memories of growing up in Lima and shared vivid stories of swimming in the River Rimac and the shenanigans he and his brother got into.
After marrying Aurea in 1965 he immigrated to the US, ready to make the most of the land of opportunity. He landed in Chickahominy, where he and Aurea raised their family. He loved being the father of daughters. He referred to his daughters as the 4 Marias, and his vanity plate read MMMME. He worked long hours to provide for his family, sending all 4 to college, something he wasn’t able to do for himself. While his heart was always in Perú, he loved his adopted country and was so proud when he became a United States citizen in 1998.
He retired from Arnold’s Bakery, where he wrote poems for co-workers when they retired. The poems were presented in a frame and translated from Spanish to English by one of his daughters. Poems were also written on birthday cards for his wife and daughters. He loved a game of dominoes and happily taught people to play so they could join him in a few rounds.
Retirement was good to him. He played tennis; made extended stays to Peru, along with a big European trip with his wife; and loved becoming a grandfather, ‘Tito’.
Ernesto is survived by his lovely wife of 59 years, Aurea Calle Escalante, who took beautiful care of him; daughters Magali Escalante and her husband Anthony Salvucci of Waltham, MA; Mabel Escalante Herson and husband George Herson of Stamford, CT; Monica Escalante and husband Daniel Raffin of Colorado Springs, CO; Margot Escalante and her husband Joshua Palmes of Stamford, CT; grandchildren Julian and Dante Salvucci; Luke and Jacob Herson; Violeta Raffin; and numerous nieces and nephews and their children.
Ernesto was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Felicita, and siblings Haydée, Felicita, Amanda, and Gregorio.
From one of his poems to his wife: “Mi Flaca se ríe a todo pulmón y mandíbula abierta porque su viejo de siempre es un imitador de la juventud. Ja! Ja!”
Wake service for Ernesto will take place on Monday, September 9th from 11AM to 12PM at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Avenue, in Stamford. A prayer service will begin at 12PM followed by a procession to St. John Cemetery, Darien for the committal service and interment.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Ernesto’s memory to a charitable organization of your choice.