Ernest J. "Ernie" Acquaro, Jr.

November 26, 1947 - May 6, 2022

Mr. Ernest J. “Ernie” Acquaro, Jr., 74, of Surfside Beach, widower of Celina Fellheimer Acquaro, passed away Friday, May 6, 2022. He was born November 26, 1947 in Newburgh, NY, a son of the late Ernest Joseph Acquaro, Sr. and Ida Duncan Acquaro. With a hotel career that began in 1969 with the management of a small hotel in Durham, NC, Ernest is one of today’s most respected hospitality investment advisors. His education and professional affiliations are extensive. Mr. Acquaro graduated from Cornell University’s Hotel School. He then received his Master’s Degree in Hotel Restaurant and Travel Administration from the University of Massachusetts, where he co-authored a forward-thinking treatise. His impressive career continued with a variety of firms where he was responsible for conducting numerous financial and market analyses in the northeastern United States, Europe and the Middle East. He also provided nationwide hotel appraisal reviews, due diligence research and expert witness testimony for hotel related litigation. From 1994-1997, Mr. Acquaro was President and Chief Operating Officer of Fall Creek Partners, Inc. He served as advisor and asset manager in multiple properties including investing as co-investors with Apollo Real Estate Advisors and family offices in a new entity Trinity Investment. Investments included Harbor Court Condo and Office Building in Honolulu, Kea Lani Resort Hotel and Villas in Wailea; Embassy Suites, Kaanapali, the Pointe at Poipu, Aloha Tower Marketplace Shopping Center, Queens Court Office Building, Lae Auberrge de Sedona, Royal Kuhio Condominia; among others in Hawaii, as well as on the Mainland USA. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr. Acquaro will be held Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 3 p.m. at Lancaster Funeral Home with the Mrs. Dianne Evans officiating. Mr. Acquaro is survived by his siblings, Genie Acquaro Hagins and her husband, Stephen of Lancaster, Dr. Dominick Acquaro and his wife Judy of Fort Wayne, IN, Ida Acquaro Polston and her husband Kenny of Lancaster and Carrie Acquaro Gaston and her husband David of Fort Lawn; nieces and nephews, Andrea Acquaro Ribelin, Amanda Acquaro Saleeby, Dr. Gabrielle Paloma Acquaro, Dr. Dominick J. Acquaro, Jennifer Polston Bridges, Jessica Polston Hegler, Bridget Gainer Stalvey and Sheena Gainer; special longtime friend, George “Buddy” Ruff and his wife Diane; special family, Clif, Elaine and Michael Trail; and special great-nephew, Samuel Gaston. The family will receive friends following the service at Lancaster Funeral Home. Lancaster Funeral Home & Cremation Service is serving the family of Mr. Acquaro.