Ernest J. "Ernie" Dragos passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at his home in Ortley Beach after a long illness. He was 78 years old.

Born in Avenel, he resided in Colonia for many years before moving to Ortley Beach 10 years ago.

A graduate of Woodbridge High School and Monmouth College, Ernie actively served in the US Marine Corps.

Mr. Dragos was a prominent realtor in Middlesex and Monmouth Counties for 50 years and was most recently associated with Birchler Realtors in Ortley Beach.

He was a member of the Woodbridge Chamber of Commerce and elected to their Board of Directors, was named Avenel Chairman and Township Coordinator for the March of Dimes and served in numerous capacities in the township: Mayors Council on Physical Fitness, member of the Industrial Commission of the Woodbridge Planning Board, President of Colonia High School Band Parent Association, Democratic Committeeman in the 5th ward, and also served as Trustee to The Greater Colonia Democratic Club. He was appointed The Sewer Utility Director for the new municipal sewer utility mandated by the state of New Jersey.

Ernie was an active competitor in the NJ Senior Olympics, winning numerous medals.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Dr. Nancy Spiller, a Department Head at Colonia High School.

Surviving are his loving wife of 52 years, Lorraine Matiunas Dragos; daughters, Denise and her husband, John Eichler and Nicole and her husband, Chris Patricola; son in law, David Spiller; brothers, Dennis and Alan Dragos; and the grandchildren he adored, Larisa, Jake, Max, Rhyen and Alexandra.

Funeral services will be on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 9:45 a.m. from Costello-Greiner Funeral Home (costello-greiner.com), 44 Green Street, Woodbridge. A Mass of Resurrection will follow at 10:30 a.m. at Saint James Catholic Church, Woodbridge. Cremation will be private. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to Dr. Nancy Spiller Scholarship Fund, in Ernie's memory would be greatly appreciated by the Dragos family. Please make check payable to Woodbridge School District and mail to Mr. Wolferman, P.O. Box 428, School Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 and indicate Dr. Spiller Scholarship in the memo section.