Earnest passed away in Dec 2014 at the age of 71 in Waterbury, CT.   While at Wilby he played basketball and ran track.   Earnest served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1964 before receiving an honorable discharge.   He later went on to obtain a technical degree as a tool and die maker employed by Risdon Mfg.  He retired after 30 years of service.