Ernest R. "Ernie" Lloyd III
Ernest R. “Ernie” Lloyd III, a longtime member of the housekeeping staff, died May
19, 2010, at Albany Medical Center. He was 85.
Born November 25, 1924, in Saratoga Springs, Ernie was a lifelong resident of the
city. He attended St. Peter’s Academy.
Ernie was an Army veteran who served with 673rd Field Artillery Battalion in the European
theater, including Ardennes, Normandy, and Rhineland. He was honorably discharged
as a private first class on December 12, 1945.
He worked for the Boston and Maine Railroad system then joined the Skidmore staff
in 1968 as a custodian in the Housekeeping Department, a position he held until his
retirement in 1986.
Mary O’Donnell of Scribner Library remembered that her mother worked with Ernie. “He
was a really nice man,” she said. Ernie did not drive, but that didn’t stop him from
going places. “He walked everywhere—all over Saratoga Springs,” said Mary. “I would
see him regularly at St. Peter’s Church services,” she added.
Ernie was known for his diligence, his attention to detail, and his friendly manner.
For a number of years he was responsible for cleaning the offices in Palamountain
and Dana halls. After the Sports and Recreation Center opened in 1982, his assignment
was the new facility and specifically, the swimming pool. Ernie became known as “the
pool guy,” whose responsibilities included keeping the pool chlorinated and the surrounding
area clean. Then as now, the building was in heavy use, and Ernie was familiar to
students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Ernie was active in several community organizations, including the Saratoga Council
246, Knights of Columbus, which recognized his 59 years of continuous service at a
May 17, 2010 “old timers” dinner and celebration. His other affiliations included
American Legion, Adirondack Post 70; and the Saratoga Columbian Association.
A devout Catholic, Ernie was a member of the Church of St. Peter. He served as an
usher for many years and faithfully attended the daily 8 a.m. Mass.
Ernie’s wife, Dorothy A. Spratt Lloyd, died in 2001. Four brothers also predeceased
Ernie. Survivors include two brothers: Arthur of Brentwood, L.I., and Jack (Linda)
of Schuylerville; sister Mary (Donald) Hammond of Las Vegas; sisters-in-law Connie
and Jean Lloyd of Saratoga Springs; three stepchildren, 12 grandchildren, and a number
of nieces, nephews, and cousins.