Biography:

Ernie Patrick Moore was born on January 26, 1944 to Edgar Moore and Myrtle Henry Gomes.  He joined his older brother Selwyn Henry at 47 Oxford Street, Port Of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.  They competed for the attention of their Mother, Hilda Henry Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles. They shared everything including the pedal of a singer’s sewing machine, owned by our Tantie Babes.  They both enjoyed riding on that metallic petal between the legs of the family dressmaker as Tantie Babes created a new garment for her customer. They grew-up as a team enjoying the pampering from adult family members as we were the first males in the next generation of the family.

They attended the same public school, hence travelled to and from school daily. They had their first public fight when a neighborhood youth mistakenly intervened in one of their many playful fights. He thought he was coming to the rescue of Ernie by attacking Selwyn but he made a big mistake as they both turned on him, chased him to his home in De Harpe. This was one of the many times we joined forces to defend each other in the neighborhood. Their friends were Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture), Mackie Griffith, Mikey Chandler, Tyrone Chandler, Herman ‘pud’ DeSousa, Ronnie Clarke, Carl Clarke they respected their bond. In their pre-teens their parents encouraged a safe and open space for friends to enter the yard to play games with marbles, games of cricket. As they entered their teenage years Selwyn moved on to high school and became more engaged in sports, Ernie was not interested in playing sports, but he was an enthusiastic supporter.

Ernie passion was dressing and liming on the nearest busy intersection to our home. In that fifties period groups were acquiring names and individuals were given nick names Ernie’s group was known as ‘Style Crampers’ he was given the name ‘Zones’ and Selwyn group was called City Modernaires.’ Crampers were based in Observatory Street whilst the Modernaires maintained their base on Oxford Street.  Ernie and his best friend Gabby were the most fashionable leaders of the Crampers. They had the full range of colors available in the Banlon tops, with matching tailor-made pants and Clarke’s high cut shoes. Ernie always made sure he had morning and evening wear. Ernie was as described in Trinidad a ‘city saga boy.’ This handle was only applied to men in the city who were setting the standards for well-coordinated and attractive clothing. The saga boys because of their ability to attract women would sometimes have to defend themselves against jealous males who envied their status. Ernie demonstrated that he could rise to that challenge whenever confronted.

While Ernie was in Trinidad he worked for Neil and Massey an autobody shop.  Ernie and Lera Samuel dated and had their son Randy Martin Samuel was born in 1961.  Before he left Trinidad he met Emma Means who was vacationing for Carnival 1968.  Then he moved to the United States to get additional training in painting automobiles.  Ernie migrated to the US in 1969 to join his father (Edgar Moore).  He worked at several different garages in the US doing bodywork on cars.  He lived with his brothers (Abigi, Fito), another friend (Tyrone) from Trinidad in Harlem near Central Park.  He found Emma Means who lived closed by with her sister they reconnected, had their son Anthony Kenyatta Means. 

Ernie was partying with an old friend from Trinidad when he met Rose Marie Calvin they dated for several years, had their daughter Lisa Marie Moore and several years later had their son Aaron Patrick Moore. 

Ernie had many friends who he like to lime with on 116th street and Lenox Avenue.  One owned a tailor shop the other own a liquor store.  Of course, they were good friends Ernie love to look good, dress nice, show off his outfits all his life.  And talk about all the ladies who use to love him “Mr. Ladies Man” and have a taste (vodka, beer) often. 

You could always find Ernie at the numbers spot in the Bronx.  Or Brooklyn at his sister a, brother-in-law Francine, Eldon Cooper) house for Labor Day.  Where he would see all his family and friends who came to enjoy the parade on Eastern Parkway.  He shared many years of good food, drinks, laughter the whole weekend thanks to Aunt Francine.  Ernie would find out all the latest business/chatter from Canada, Trinidad, different parts of the US where his loved ones reside. 

Ernie relocated from New York to Virginia to his daughter Lisa Moore-Thomas, raise his granddaughter Alea Marie Thomas.  After several years in Virginia, he moved to Georgia but didn’t like it after a week so he return to his old stomping grounds of New York City.  Where he and Emma Means realize they could help one another, they became each other support system until she passed in 2019.  Emma’s daughter (Sharon Renee Means) continued to be Ernie’s support system until he became severely ill, entered the Wayne Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center where they took great care of him until 2023.  When Ernie was transferred to Montefiore Hospital for his final days.

Ernie was loved by many, will truly be missed. He leaves to mourn his passing, his loving mother, Myrtle Henry Gomes, four children Randy Samuel, Anthony Means (Demetris Means), Lisa Thomas, Aaron Moore, six grandchildren Saryah Ransom, Alea Thomas, Dylan Means, Amari Means, Isabella Moore and Xavier Moore his six brothers Selwyn Henry, Filces “Feto” Gomes (Annie), Abigi Id-Deen (Muna), Colin Gomes (Moreen), Ian Gomes(Charmion), Allan Gomes. Three sisters Marilyn Gomes, Claudette Gomes, Francine Cooper (Eldon Cooper). A host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends.