Masonic Life Network

Ernest Borgnine, 1917-2012

Ernest Borgnine (born Ermes Effron Borgnino; January 24, 1917 – July 8, 2012) was an American film and television actor whose career spanned more than six decades. He was an unconventional lead in many films of the 1950s, winning an Oscar in 1955 for Marty. On television, he played Quinton McHale in the 1962–1966 series McHale's Navy and co-starred in the mid-1980s action series Airwolf, in addition to a wide variety of other roles. Borgnine was also known for his role as Mermaid Man in the animated television serices SpongeBob SquarePants. Borgnine earned an Emmy Award nomination at age 92 for his work on the series ER.

Borgnine was born in Hamden, Connecticut. He was the son of Anna (nee Boselli), who emigrated to the United States from Carpi (Modena, Italy), and Camillo Borgnino, who emigrated to the U.S. from Ottiglio (Alessandra, Italy).

Borgnine's parents separated when he was two years old, and he and his mother went to live in Italy. By 1923, his parents had reconciled, and the family name was changed from Borgnino to Borgnine. The family settled in North Haven, Connecticut, where he attended public schools. Borgnine took to sports while growing up, but showed no interest in acting.

Borgnine joined the United States Navy in 1935, after graduation from James Hillhouse High School in New Haven, Connecticut. He was discharged in 1941, re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor, and served until 1945 (a total of ten years), reaching the rank of gunner's mate 1st class. He served aboard the destroyer USS Lamberton. His military decorations include the Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Borgnine received the honorary rating of chief petty officer (CPO) in October 2004 from Master Chief Petty Officer of The Navy Terry D. Scott for Borgnine's support of the Navy and naval families worldwide.

After the war was over, Borgnine returned to his parents' home with no job and no direction. As he was unwilling to settle for a dead-end factory job, his mother encouraged him to pursue a more glamorous profession and suggested that his personality would be well suited for the stage. He surprised his mother by taking the suggestion to heart, although his father was far from enthusiastic.

After graduation, Borgnine auditioned and was accepted to the Barter Theater in Abingdon, Virginia, so-called for its audiences bartering their produce for admission during the Great Depression. In 1947, he landed his first stage role in State of The Union. Although it was a short role, he won over the audience. His next role was as the Gentleman Caller in Tenessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie. In 1949, he had his Brodway debut in the role of a nurse in the play Harvey. More roles on stage led him to being a decades-long character actor. Thus began his legendary show business career.

Bro. Ernest Borgnine’s later films included Ice Station Zebra, The Adventurers, Willard, The Poseidon Adventure, The Greatest (as Muhammad Ali’s manager), Convoy, Ravagers, Escape From New York, Moving Target and Mistress.

Bro. Ernest actively donated his time to worthy causes. He volunteered to be Stories of Service National spokesman, urging his fellow World War II vets to come forward and share their stories. He also served one year as the Chairman of the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, visiting patients in many Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. In 1996, Borgnine toured the United States on a bus to meet his fans and see the country. The trip was the subject of a 1997 documentary, Ernest Borgnine on the Bus.

Bro. Ernest was a Freemason in Hollywood Lodge No. 355, and a 33rd° Scottish Rite Mason in the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose at that organization's Lodge in Junction City, Oregon. He contributed articles to several Masonic publications. One of his articles appeared in the website belonging to Lodge Callendar #588 in Falkirk, Scotland.

Bro. Ernest Borgnine died of renal failure on July 8, 2012, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He was 95 years old.

May the Great Architect of The Universe grant our brother Ernest sublime guidance as he journeys to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns.

Until then, my brother…

(Article by Bro. Ed S. Fernandez)

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Borgnine

http://www.muratshrine.org/

http://www.mastermason.com/callendar588/