Ernest Ubaldo Curelli formerly of Beverly and Beverly Hills, Fla., died Jan. 25 at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was 87 and was predeceased by his loving wife of 56 years, Elena.

He was the son of Biaggio (GiGi) and Fausta Donnaruma Curelli who had emigrated from Italy. He was always proud to be part of a generation of first-borns in this country. He grew up in East Boston and graduated with the Boston College Class of 1948.

His college years were interrupted when he was drafted by the Army Air Force, serving as a medical corpsman during World War II, an experience that provided windows to history for his family and friends. This included vivid descriptions of flying over the Hump (the Himalaya Mountains) in a C47 Gooney Bird transport plane to bases in the China-Burma highlands. He was proud to aid his fellow soldiers as well as provide public health services to local communities. As a sign of gratitude he was given a pair of chimpanzees, Cheetah and Zambi, that warned of any Bengal tigers approaching his tent. He also befriended many Ghurka soldiers while in India and Nepal. His brother Rocco served as a B24 and B17 pilot, his brother Rudy as a forward infantryman, all driven by pride, gratitude and determination.

Ernie’s career as a food technologist at Clarence Birdseye began in the development of frozen foods, and later freeze-dried foods for military and aerospace programs. He also worked with the Beverly board of health. He promoted the work of fishermen and preservation of fishing grounds while a member of the New England Fisheries Institute.

He was a quiet man, devoted to his wife and sons. He gave new meaning to the words “puttering around,” enjoying his garden, and turning a few wrenches on his ’54 Chevy. Dancing the jitterbug brought his widest smile, even as recently as at his grandson’s wedding.

For the past few years Ernie lived with his sons and their families in Oak Bluffs and Wisconsin. His greatest pride was in his grandchildren, especially their college graduations. He shared with them the excitement of Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary pass, Patriots Super Bowl wins, and Red Sox World Series wins. He loved all animals, but was inseparable from Clover-Murphy and Shamrock, dogs that provided him constant amusement and devotion.

He is survived by his son John Curelli, and his wife, Jane, of Oak Bluffs; his son Tom Curelli, and his wife, Susan, of Two Rivers, Wisc.; his grandchildren Benjamin Curelli of Boston, Nicholas Curelli, and his wife, Nicole, of Oak Bluffs; Diane Curelli of Minnesota; and Stephen Curelli of Hancock, Mich. He also leaves a brother, Rudy Curelli, of Marstons Mills, and a sister and brother in law, Gloria and Alan Mills of Sandwich. In addition to his wife he was predeceased by his brother, Rocco Curelli. Ernie was especially grateful for the care and attention of his niece, Karen Nahill, and the nurses and doctors of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

A funeral mass was held at St. Angela’s Church, with interment at the Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston. A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady Star of The Sea Church in Oak Bluffs on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Ernie would be happy for donations to go to Christian Foundation For Children And Aging, 1 Elmwood avenue, Kansas City, KS 66103. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.