Ernesto Carrion Figueroa
New London — Ernesto Carrion Figueroa, 87, of New London passed away Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, at his home.
He was born May 7, 1931, in Luguillo, Puerto Rico, the son of Luis and Anita Figueroa Carrion.
Ernesto was married to Nereida Carrion on March 15, 1951, and together they spent 67 years. She survives him.
He was the founder of the Star of Jacob Church (Estrella de Jacob) in New Haven, and after five years came to New London and founded the first Spanish church in all of New London County, Oasis of Restoration, serving as pastor for 25 years. The church is still powerful and thriving under the leadership of Pastor Josue Rosado.
Ernesto also helped a new, growing church in Norwich for two years after he had retired, before moving to Caguas, Puerto Rico. He lived there for 23 years before returning to New London to be close to his family. Among other things, he loved writing poetry, inspirational songs all dedicated to his love to God, painting, and was a very creative person who inspired many.
We, the family, and all who were close to him will miss him but know he is in the arms of his beloved Jesus.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his sons, Ernest Carrion Jr. of Uncasville, Abraham Carrion of New London; his daughter, Anna Miriam Carrion Lugo of New London; grandchildren, Jennifer, Ernest III, Maribel, Kenneth Carrion, Valerie Garcia, Karissa Carrion, Marilyn Riling and Rafael Garcia; great-grandchildren, Melquann Gomez, Shay, Nathan, Nevaeh and Brielle Carrion, Julian Harkness Carrion, Kaleb Carrion, Daniel, Mariana, and Grace Garcia, Ricardo Gabriel and Leandro Seda, Victoria and Yailanis Gutierrez; and brother, Eduardo Carrion.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Mildred Garcia.
A service led by Pastor Josue Rosado will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at the Oasis of Restoration Church. A service also will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, at Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London. Burial will follow in Jordan Cemetery, Waterford. Please visit www.byles.com for directions or to sign the guestbook.