Ernest Battee

Ernest R. Battee 82 of the Villages passed away peacefully on October 8th 2016 of complications associated with an auto accident four years ago which left him a Quadriplegic. He spent his last years in the facility of Lake Harris Health Center, Leesburg, Fl where he was an inspiration to the Staff and Residents for his positive outlook on life. He was born in White Plains, NY to the late Ernest Leon and Mary (Symulevich) Battee. Ernie was married to his lovely wife Elaine (Jamieson) Battee for 53 years. His wife Elaine (Jamieson) Battee and daughter Linda Marie Battee and brother Ralph "Butchie" Battee preceded him in death. After the death of Elaine, Ernie reconnected with a High School friend, Liz Oliver and they enjoyed a year long relationship together which ended with her death from the same accident that caused Ernie's injury. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer of the US Army Reserves and worked for ATT and Southern New England Telephone Co. where he took early retirement at age 55. Ernie and Elaine enjoyed traveling throughout the World with friends and family during his retirement. Ernie was well known as a man who never met a stranger; he was very social and had an infectious laugh that would light up a room. Ernie had a great passion for NASCAR racing because of his relationship with his son-in-law, Randy LaJoie who was a NASCAR Racing Champion. Retirement enabled him to follow Randy in the NASCAR racing circuit throughout the years and more recently his grandsons, Corey LaJoie in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Casey LaJoie who is a broadcast announcer at multiple racing venues. Ernie's love for golf would have him travel annually with his best friends to Myrtle Beach, SC. for over twenty years and he accomplished many Hole In One awards in his lifetime. Ernie was a member of several clubs in The Villages, his most active clubs were the Nova Scotia Club, The Villages Motor Racing Club and Bridge Club. During his stay at Lake Harris he was visited by the Bridge Club on a weekly basis to enable him to continue to play for the last three plus years.Ernie is survived by his two daughters Lisa (Battee) LaJoie and husband Randy, Concord, NC, Leslie (Battee)Andre, Tampa, Fl, his sisters Judy Vartuli (husband Frank), and Alexandria "Lola" Thompson both from Stamford, CT, and grandsons Corey and Casey LaJoie both from Concord, NC.Services will be held at St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Church, Wildwood, Fl. Visitation at 12:00 PM and Mass at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 15, 2016. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, October 15 at the Bacall Recreational Center after the Services from 2:00 - 5:00 PM. Roberts Funeral Home, Ocala, Fl will be handling the funeral arrangements.

Ernest Battee

November 14, 1933 - October 8, 2016