Ernest Joseph Fox

Ernest (Ernie) Joseph Fox peacefully started his journey in Heaven to rejoice in reuniting with his beloved wife and son when he left his earthly body on November 6, 2025 Born on a farm in Springtown in Bucks County, PA he was the youngest son of Wilhemena (Vilma) and Alexander (Sandor) Fox. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 66.5 years, Rose Marie (nee Navarro), his cherished son, Cary, his beloved parents and his 7 siblings, Alexander (Carmela), Marie Siebert (Richard), Helen Wieder (Harold), Kathryn Steward, John (Viola), Infant brother (Ernest), Emma Heckler (Richard).

Ernest is survived by 4 of his children, Alan Fox, Brenda Grob (Kenneth), Diane Cullen (Robert), Elisa Jaffe (Bradley), 9 grandchildren (Kenny Grob, Matthew Grob, Julianne (Jim) Fiorello, Meghan (James) Thorstensen, Alexandra (Pete) Klapsogeorge, Luke Grob, Caroline (Joe) Graham, Harrison Jaffe, Charlotte Jaffe with 6 great grandchildren (Patrick, Bridget and Abigail Thorstensen; Jack and Lizzy Fiorello; Charlie Klapsogeorge). He was devastated when predeceased by the love of his life, Rose Marie and his beloved son, Cary John. Their welcome of Dad to Heaven will be glorious, indeed! Ernest is survived by many adoring nieces, nephews, and cousins as he loved his family beyond all else.

Ernie described himself as someone who grew up behind the backsides of three horses, Tom, Dick and Harry with his dog, Skippy on the family farm in Springtown, PA. It is from this vantage point that he would sagely dispense his life lessons. His advice would have the preamble, “I may not know much, because I grew up behind the backside of a horse, but I do know - insert common sense here.” As the youngest in the family, he was the one to help his parents as they aged. His days started at 4 AM to milk cows, then walk to school, come home, complete other farm work, homework, and repeat. He attended Palisades High School (1948) and after graduation Ernie joined his brother John in his roofing business, it was here that he developed a respect for heights and angles. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1950, took pilot training and served overseas as a Radar tech across the 38th parallel as the government started their first radar installations. He was honorably discharged as Airman First Class in 1959 after serving in Korea and in the Air Force Reserves. Upon return from Korea he married Rose Marie in 1956, and they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana so he could attend Indiana Institute of Technology where he earned his BS in Electronics Engineering in 1959. He and Rose Marie returned to Bethlehem, PA where he started working for Philco in Philadelphia on the first color TVs. When Ford acquired Philco, he moved his expertise into car electronics and helped to design the early version of cruise control for Ford. He moved into Aerospace within the Ford Corporation and when Ford wanted to relocate the family to California, he moved to General Electric Co., Missile and Space Division for Applications Satellites where he developed Communication and Earth Resources Satellites, notably working on the first GPS satellite in space. He completed his career at Lockheed Martin designing the EMF/RMF shielding for satellites for military use. Ernie lived a purposeful and innovative life as an engineer.

During that time Ernie and Rose Marie raised their family in Ardsley, PA until moving to a gentleman’s farm in Ambler in 1978. It was here that he was in his glory. Ernie loved gardening, raising his chickens and he even had a goat! Dad was most happy riding his tractor and being productive on the land. He cut and split all his own firewood from the trees on the property and had multiple gardens and fruit trees he tended with care. Ernie was an avid hunter and instructed his children and grandchildren about guns and bows and proper use and care and sustainable hunting practices. He respected the earth and the gifts of our natural resources and was respectful of how the land provides for us.

Ernie was active in the James A. Flaherty Knights of Columbus and was a lifelong fourth degree night in the council. He served in many positions and ran many charitable events to support their service mission. He served on the Queen’s Follies team with the Queen of Peace Church as the resident electrician, hanging lights, wiring panels and outlets as well as handling spotlights to support the shows that Rose Marie directed which raised money for the parish.

Ernie was a devoted and loving husband to Rose Marie, whom he met dancing in Dorney Park and fell in love. Together they enjoyed trips across the globe to explore its great adventures and especially loved to spend time with his family in Disneyworld in Orlando. Ernie and Rose Marie frequently traveled with Rose Marie’s brother ‘Sheikie’ and his wife Mary Ann sharing adventures in Cancun, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Edisto Island, to name a few. Ernie and Rose Marie also traveled with their nephews (Louis (Mary) Navarro, Robert Navarro, and Ramon (Doris) Navarro)

Ernie loved watching his local sports teams, especially the Phillies and Eagles. After the Eagles won their first Super Bowl in 2018, he sat and waited for 5 minutes before he drank the champagne until he was sure it was true!

Ernie is remembered for his wisdom, handyman skills, love of the outdoors, and practical life lessons shared humbly. Everyone who knew him will certainly miss his jesting comments and keen observations.

Ernie lived a purposeful and innovative life as an engineer, steward of the earth and brave service to his country. His greatest legacy in his life was the life he led as a devoted husband, loving father, and advice giving, fun, and caring Grandpop/Great-Grandpop that will continue to fill our hearts with love.

The services are managed by Shaeff-Myers Funeral Home in Ambler, PA. The viewing will be held on Friday November 14, 2025, at 9:30 AM at St. Anthony of the Padua Church, 259 Forest Avenue Ambler, PA 19002 with a mass immediately following at 10:30 AM. Interment will full military honors will be at St. John Neumann Cemetery in Chalfont, PA at 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Ernie’s memory by donating to:

James A. Flaherty Knights of Columbus 235 Limekiln Pike Glenside, PA 19038 or the American Legion: www.legion.org/donate or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: www.stjude.org/donate.

Arrangements by Shaeff-Myers Funeral Home.