WILMINGTON — Ernesto Calixtro Satorre, a proud veteran of the United States Coast Guard passed away in his sleep on Monday, March 4, 2025 at the age of 91.
The son of Arsenio Satorre and Antonia Calixtro Satorre, Ernesto grew up in Manila, Philippines. He was born on April 27, 1933 and after college, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1955 in the Philippines. At 19 years old, he began an adventure that would last a lifetime.
Ernesto earned four good conduct medals during his service with the Coast Guard, one with the bronze star distinction and a National Defense Service Medal.
Through the Coast Guard, he traveled to the United States, landing in California and traveling the world to many countries, such as Cuba, Vietnam, Guam, winding his way around the coastal United States aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Mendota and Chilula and duty stations such as U.S. Coast Guard Station Ft. Macon, U.S. Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City, U.S. Coast Guard Station Emerald Isle in North Carolina and along the way, he met and married the love of his life, Elizabeth Lewis Satorre in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The proudest moment of his life was on September 6, 1967 when he became a United States Citizen.
Ernesto and Elizabeth lived a life that dreams are made of, spanning 67 years and producing five children, thirteen grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren. He was “Pappa” to them all.
Through ups and downs, Pappa raised children, nurtured grandchildren and great-grandchildren and lived a life to be proud of. He was a wonderful storyteller of his worldwide adventures.
His family loves him dearly, reveres him and will miss him forever. He took care of us all.
Ernesto is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Satorre, his six children, Victor (Juvy) Satorre, Jim (Teresa) Satorre, Mike (Kim) Satorre, Pam (John) McCue, Tony (Andrea) Satorre and Brad Satorre.
Ernesto also had five siblings: Amelia (Fidel) Bautista, Virginia Costello (deceased), Oscar Satorre (deceased), Arsenio Satorre, Jr. (deceased) and Eddie Satorre. He loved you all dearly and talked about you all the time.
Ernesto had a huge extended family in the Philippines including several grandchildren and great grandchildren in the Philippines whom he never got to meet, but always wanted to.
His grandchildren and great grandchildren are listed as follows:
- James ( Holly) Satorre and their son, Logan Satorre
- Stephanie Satorre and her children, Naomi Satorre, Makenzie Gray and Brody Gray
- Brittany (Jason) Composanto, and their children, Cameron Mintz and Hayden Composanto
- Brianna (Jeff McGirt) Satorre, Isabella Satorre, Isaiah Satorre, Iliza Satorre
- Erica Satorre, Axel Gonzales, Ava Gonzales and Arielle Gonzales
- Jennifer Satorre Brown
- Kim (Justin) Mills and their daughter, Maddie Mills
- Matthew (Lauryn) Long and their daughter, Lainey Long
- Heather (David) Froese, and their children, Emilee Froese and Devan Froese
- Mitch (Alexa) McCue and their children, Colt Mason McCue, Millie McCue and Rowan McCue
- Kelly (Shawn) Capps and their children Wesley Mills, Olivia Mills, Hunter Capps, Wyatt Capps, Ryleigh Capps and Sawyer Capps
- Nicolas Satorre
- Zackary Satorre
Visitation for friends and family will be held on March 10, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Coble Funeral & Cremation, 1155 Shipyard Blvd. in Wilmington, NC 28412.
A service honoring his life will be held on March 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Coble Funeral Home Chapel at 1155 Shipyard Blvd. in Wilmington NC 28412 with a graveside service at Greenlawn Cemetery to follow immediately after.
A very special thank you goes out to the ladies (and Molt) of Stonebridge Assisted Living who fell in love with our charming father and took wonderful care of him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ernesto Satorre’s honor to the Stonebridge Assisted Living & Memory Care of Hampstead, North Carolina.
