Ernest Rice

Ernest D. Rice, age 58 of Saranac Lake, NY passed peacefully at home with his loved ones surrounding him on Monday July 24, 2023.

Born in Plattsburgh Air Force Base, he was the son of Fay Rice. He was a lifelong resident of Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, NY. In his early twenties, he learned the trade of carpentry and camp caretaking under his dear friends Fred Hough and Tony Santo.

Ernie began his career as Chief Engineer and Boat Captain at The Point Resort in 1998. Five years later he continued on with their (then) sister company The Lake Placid Lodge where he remained until May 2023. The Lake Placid Lodge was his second home and family. He had an uncanny way of winning over employees and guests alike with his authentic personality, genuine smile, work ethic and pride in his job. There was never a job too menial for Ernie, he did what needed to be done.

In 1998 he also began his time as a landlord in Lake Placid where he took great pride in offering clean and updated apartments at a reasonable price. Ernie was a jack of all trades and there was nothing he couldn’t do. He was an extraordinary cook and his joy was cooking for family gatherings. Ernie had a boisterous personality and he was just fun to be around. He was frequently late for dinner because he had been helping someone somewhere whether it was a stranger on the road or a friend in need. He was the kind of person who never made anyone feel bad for asking for help and he helped people in the manner they wanted and needed to be helped, not how he saw fit. He was a Christian man who walked his faith out right until the end. The fruits of his spirit are: Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance, Kindness, Goodness and Self-Control and Ernie lived to attain and exude all of them. He lived his life fully in the moment and those moments were almost always in service to someone else. He never held a grudge and he taught many people how to forgive and the meaning of Grace. His true loves in this life were his Lord and Savior, his wife, children, family and The Lake Placid Lodge.

Ernest is survived by his wife of 30 years, Peggy Rice, his two sons Kagan and Michael Rice of Lake Placid, his niece Kaitlin Lawless who was like a daughter to him, his sisters: Vera Clayton of Louisiana, Vivian Bodnaruk and Valerie Rice both of Canada, his brother’s-in-law who were his brother’s: Jack, Chris, Joe, Matt, Mike and Ken Lawless; his beloved cousin Patrick Brady of Massachusetts and his sister in Christ Patricia Camblin who he shared lifelong fellowship with and who humbly assisted in his end of life care. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased in death by his eldest son Bernard McCormick, his mother Fay Rice and his beloved mother and father-in-Law(s); Ginger Hughes, Jack Lawless and Martin Hughes.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune Keough Funeral Home, 20 Church Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Calling hours are scheduled for Friday July 28, 2023 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm with a Memorial Service at 6:30pm at the Funeral Home with Pastor Bruce McCulley officiating. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in North Elba Cemetery in Lake Placid.

Family and friends wishing to remember Ernest D. Rice may make memorial contributions the High Peaks Hospice in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home or give to someone in need, in the manner they would need it, expecting nothing in return, as Ernie always did. Family and friends can also share a memory, send a condolence and sign the on-line guest book at www.fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com