Ernest "Ernie" Howard Cloutier

Our hearts are heavy as we announce the passing of Ernest Howard Cloutier of Gulfport, Mississippi, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the age of 62.  Ernest was affectionately known by the name ‘Ernie’ to all that knew him.  Ernie was a beloved son to Richard and Patsy Cloutier, a brother to Ricky and Greggory Cloutier and Jo Ann Cloutier Coates.   

 Ernie was born in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine on May 5, 1962.  With his birthday falling on Cinco de Mayo, he would occasionally refer to himself as ‘Ernesto’.  Growing up as a young boy with an Air Force father, Ernie was able to live and go to school in the United States and Europe.  Every birthday or Christmas as a youngster, Ernie received toys such as a rock tumbler, a telescope, and a chemistry set. He had a natural curiosity about how things worked. He quickly became the ‘fixer’ among friends and family. He developed a passion for working with his hands and left behind many treasures of woodwork that he crafted from lumber throughout the country. He worked as a cabinet maker for homes all over the Gulf Coast and was honored to build cabinets for several luxury yachts.  He was generous with his creations and friends and family all have been endowed with his handiwork.  

   It was discovered that Ernie was a Type 1 diabetic at the age of 11.  It was his lifelong battle with diabetes that was instrumental in bringing about many health-related conditions.  

  Ernie left us with so many memories, his collection of fishing gear, and his ‘claim to fame’, the potato gun. He loved entertaining family and friends with his homemade potato gun and used it to launch bait on a hook into the Gulf as part of his ‘alternative fishing techniques’.  We all got a kick from the Sun Herald’s story about his potato gun adventures.  

   Ernie was preceded in death by his father, Richard Cloutier I, his brother, Richard Cloutier II, and his black lab, Harley.