LAYTON--<! > Ernest F. Durbano, 67, left this earthly life peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a courageous five year battle with colon cancer. We are grateful for the many lessons of life learned at his bedside, and were all inspired by his patience, concern for others and strong spirit.
He was born November 9, 1932, in Ogden to Victor and Carmela Deacetis Durbano. He was raised on the family farm in Roy, attended Weber High School and Weber State College until he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While attending college on a football scholarship, he met his wife-to-be, Bonnie Bowen. Before departing to Germany, they were married in Ogden, October 17, 1952.
In the Air Force, Ernie served as a Control Tower Operator near Weisbaden where Bonnie soon joined him. After an honorable discharge as a Staff Sgt., they built their first home in Roy, and later East Layton where they raised their family. He was employed by the FAA and worked at SLC Air Traffic Control and later, chief of the Ogden Control Tower until he went into business for himself.
Ernie was an outstanding businessman with a variety of successful careers. He started Paisano's Italian Restaurant, cooking favorite family recipes along side his mother. He owned and operated Durbano Warehousing Inc. at the Freeport Center in Clearfield. He later started Durbano Metals of Ogden, a recycling scrap metal and railroad services company. He worked there with his sons and his oldest grandson and recently retired as CEO.
Throughout his life Ernie enjoyed farming and ranching coupled with his love for flying. He was a fixed wing and helicopter pilot and enjoyed collecting and restoring airplanes. He operated ranches with his eldest son Dennis in Morgan and Snowville, Utah, Malad, Idaho, and Wickenburg, Arizona, (where he wintered his livestock). He especially enjoyed rounding up the cattle with his helicopter, most recently using these skills while serving an LDS mission with the Farm Management Company (Deseret Land and Livestock) in Utah and Wyoming.
Ernie was actively involved in his community. He was appointed by Governor Norm Bangerter to serve on the Board of Trustees at Weber State University. He served as a Commissioner for the Utah State Liquor Control Commission. He was appointed to the Utah State Economic Development Board and the Utah State Aeronautical Board. He served on the Advisory Board of First Security Bank and The Kier Corporation as well as serving on the Board of Directors at Applied Technology Center. He was currently serving on the Board of Directors for America West Bank in Layton, which was founded by Ernie and his sons. Ernie's generosity and love for athletics prompted him to donate the football field lighting at Bonneville High, Ben Lomond High, and Roy High (where the field was named in his honor).
Ernie was baptized a member of the LDS Church four years ago and was a High Priest in the Layton Valley View Ward. On their 48th wedding anniversary, Ernie and Bonnie solemnized their marriage in the Ogden LDS temple.
Ernie was truly a self-made man and reached many of his goals by sheer determination, commitment, and hard work. He taught these values to others by example. He is remembered fondly for his enormous love of life, unbiased generosity, and great sense of humor. We'll miss his endless teasing (knuckle-rubs and whisker burns). He loved making memories while celebrating good times and traditions with family and friends. Ernie always said, "We'll get 'r done" and "We've got it made." Indeed he did! We'll miss you dearly Dad until we meet again.
He is survived by his devoted wife Bonnie; five children: Dennis (Linda K.), Ogden; Douglas (Shawna), Layton; Dana Keiter (John), Park City; Bruce (Stacie), and Gina Graham (Stanford), Layton, Utah; 22 grandchildren, one of whom is serving an LDS mission in Honduras, (Elder Nathan Durbano); and two great-grandsons. Also surviving are his mother Carmela, Ogden; and two brothers: Victor (Joyce), Roy; and David (Linda C.), Laramie, Wyoming. He was preceded in death by his father Victor, and his mother-in-law, Gertrude.
The family is grateful to Denise Powell, RN and Nicole Crosthwait, RN for their devoted care. Special thanks for the loving care provided by granddaughter Stacie Haaser, RN. Thanks to forever friends Dutch Belnap and Lowell Thorstensen who were always there during his illness and Bishop Stuart Adams, and Father Charles Cummins for their love and support.
We will celebrate his life with a funeral service Saturday, November 4, 2000, at 11 a.m. at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road with Bishop Adams officiating. Friends may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist's Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Road, Ogden. Military honors will be accorded.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his honor to Primary Children's Medical Center which successfully treated two of Ernie's grandchildren, 100 North Medical Dr. Salt Lake City, UT; 84112.
"It is not how many years we live, but what we do with them. It is not what we receive, but what we give to others." We love you Ernie. Thanks for all you've given us and for your fearless passion for life.