Ernest S. Tosi; Retired Educator

Ernest S. Tosi, who worked as a teacher, counselor and vice principal in the Antelope Valley and also served on the Lancaster Redevelopment Agency, has died in a Lancaster hospital. He was 66.

Tosi died Friday of complications from a recent fall, said his wife, Rosalie Tosi.

Born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, he served as a corporal in the U.S. Army during World War II and earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and a master’s degree from USC. Tosi came to Lancaster in 1950 and worked as a drafting teacher and counselor at Antelope Valley High School before becoming vice principal at the school. He later worked as vice principal at Palmdale and Quartz Hill high schools and returned to Antelope Valley High, where he retired in 1984.

Tosi served on the Lancaster Redevelopment Agency from January, 1987, to April, 1988. He was past president and life member of the Lancaster Lions Club.

The flag at Lancaster City Hall was flown at half-staff Monday in his honor.

In addition to his wife of 14 years, Tosi is survived by son Dr. Michael Tosi of Cleveland; stepson Bradley Weeks of Los Angeles; daughter Evelyn Tosi of Guam, and sister Delia Reis of Manhattan Beach.

His first wife, Marian Tosi, died in 1973, and his daughter, Catherine Tosi, died in 1975.

A funeral was held Monday with burial at Joshua Memorial Park in Lancaster. Murphy Mortuary in Lancaster handled the arrangements. Donations can be made in Tosi’s name to the American Heart Assn. or the Southern California Lions Eye Institute, in care of Frank Leone, 1131 N. Pacific Ave., Glendale 91202.