Obituary of Ernest Alan Moeckel

Ernest Alan Moeckel, husband, father, and grandfather, died on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was 69. Due to the strong high school football rivalry, depending on which team you rooted for, Ernest could have been born in either Ansonia or Derby, Connecticut on December 24, 1946 to Edmund and Adelaide Moeckel. Ernest graduated from Ansonia High School in 1964. He continued his studies at the University of Connecticut where he graduated with a business degree (or, as he said, whatever degree I can study without needing to take French) in 1968. Ernest served in the United States Army and served one tour as a Communications Officer in Vietnam between 1969-1970, where one of his notable accomplishments was figuring out how to call his mother on Christmas Day using the government phone system he put in place. Ernest married Penelope O'Neal on September 7, 1974 and moved to Danbury, Connecticut. Soon after they became guardians of Cynthia (McLaughlin) Schenk, a feisty teenager. This was soon followed by two more children, Melissa and Robert, who were "perfect angels." Ernest was a natural salesman, both outgoing yet approachable, with a remarkable sense of humor. He never met a stranger. He was also an avid University of Connecticut basketball fan. Ernie retired in 2007 and recently moved to Colorado Springs to enjoy the wonderful vistas where one of his favorite places was Garden of the Gods. Ernest is survived by his wife, Penelope; daughters, Cynthia and Melissa; and his grandchildren, Michelle, Robert, Richard, and Kathleen. He was predeceased by his son Robert in 1993. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909