Obituary of Ernest B. McCullough

Ernest Beatty McCullough ("Ernie") was born on August 16, 1952, in Morristown, New Jersey to Louise McCullough Beatty and the late Ernest Beatty, Sr. Ernie is predeceased by his sister Mary Lou Beatty Chatpman "May" in February 2011. God called him home on Sunday, April 2, 2017, at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey after a long illness. Ernie attended the Boonton School System, graduating from Boonton High School in 1971. He was also a graduate of Montclair State University where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Literature. Ernie was a lifelong member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Boonton Township. He was a member of the Men of Valor, sang on the Men's choir, and was an Usher. Ernie had a talent for decorating. Whenever there was a special occasion at the church, Ernie was asked to assist with decorating the church, especially during the Christmas holiday. Christmas was Ernie's favorite holiday. Every Christmas his Christmas tree had a different theme and each year they were more beautiful than the year before. He took such pride in his decorating. He also made sure his Mom's tree was perfect too. Ernie was known for his impeccable fashion sense. He was voted best dress in high school three times and twice while attending Montclair State. He also had a love for convertible cars. His first convertible was a yellow Volkswagen Beetle Bug. Ernie was a Real Estate Broker with Century 21. He worked for many years in New York City and had a love for the theatre. Ernie was employed at Catholic Charities for the Archdioceses of Newark where he was the Program Manager for St. Bridget's Residence in Newark, New Jersey. He was a very valuable employee and someone that the Residence will miss very much. Ernie also had worked at Bill's Village Florist in Boonton Township, making floral arrangements for all occasions. Ernie had a passion for planning weddings – he planned most of his cousin's weddings and special occasions. He was a master at planning dinner parties – he started the Annual First Cousin Party, where all the First Cousin's on the Maternal side of the family would get together annually to catch-up with each other. He organized and directed many local and church fashion shows. He also modeled in fashion shows and had a role in a TV show. Ernie was a member of the Harmony Senior Drum Corps where he was in the Color Guard. He loved to travel, visiting friends in Florida, California, Cape Cod, the Hamptons, and traveling to Paris, Florence, and Italy. He was an all-around exceptional person. Ernie was VERY devoted to his family. He cared very deeply for his mother, Louise Beatty, and took on the role as "Head of the Family". He helped to care for his sister's children and grandchildren, especially after his sister Mary Lou passed away. Ernie leaves to cherish his memory his loving mother, Louise McCullough Beatty of Boonton; nephew Shawn Beatty of Robbinsville; nieces Jennifer Beatty of Robbinsville and Catlyn Chatpman of Boonton; great nieces Kaylah Beatty, Kaitlyn Beatty, Jessica Tracey, and great nephew Alexander Tracey; Aunts Jean Anderson and Minnie McKlin of Boonton; Susie Ford of Great Falls, SC, and Uncles Frank Beaty, Great Falls, SC, and Calvin Beaty and Willie Beaty of Rock Hill, SC, special friends Joseph Pagano and Marilyn Jordan; and a host of cousins, family members and friends. The celebration of Ernie's life will be held on Monday, April 10th, 2017 at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 4 Church Road, Boonton Township, NJ 07005 with visiting from 9-11am followed by a service at 11:00am. The interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Boonton. Arrangements entrusted to the Codey & Mackey Funeral Home of Boonton (www.codeymackeyfh.com).