Jeffrey "Jeff" A. Ernico

Jeffrey A. Ernico went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, September 1, 2025.

Jeff lived life with passion. He did nothing half-heartedly. A caricature of him, presented by his law firm, showed a man playing tennis ferociously. That is how he lived his life and practiced his profession of law. As a 19-year-old college student, Jeff grabbed his hard hat from his steel worker days and boarded a bus to march with Martin Luther King across the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma to the city of Montgomery, AL in support of voting rights for those of color.

Jeff entered the practice of law to help people. On graduation he received the Distinguished Service Award for his leadership of the Temple University Legal Aid program. Later he received the Louis J. Goffman Award from the PA Bar Association for his service in establishing pro bono law programs across the state of PA. He had wanted to serve in VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) after law school, but the program was ended. So, he acquired a position in the PA Department of Justice as a Deputy Attorney General and was soon appointed to lead the PA Consumer Protection Office in Harrisburg. He loved stopping consumer fraud and holding businesses accountable. Odometer roll backs, bait and switch sales or fraudulent land deals all felt the passion of Jeffrey A. Ernico. Jeff began private practice law in 1974 and retired in 2025. He specialized in municipal law, business and tax law, and estate planning.

As a father, Jeff loved his children fiercely and never missed a family dinner, a sporting event, a piano recital or band performance. As a husband he supported his wife in her professional endeavors, offering legal advice and encouragement in a world that was just beginning to experience women as leaders. Jeff Ernico supported women’s rights and disliked discrimination.

Jeff Ernico had a strong faith that was supported by men’s bible study groups, church attendance, and service.  A former altar boy and Eagle Scout in Allentown, he was a member of the Grantham Brethren in Christ church for 30 years, attended Camp Hill United Methodist church and joined First Presbyterian Church in Hilton Head, SC. Jeff was blessed to found and support Paxton Ministries in Harrisburg, PA, using his legal skills to provide free housing and services to homeless people who were physically and mentally challenged. For 20 years, he served on the Board of Directors of the Teen Challenge program, a faith-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. Jeff served Asbury Communities, a Methodist based senior program for almost 20 years, chairing their Asbury Atlantic Board.

On Hilton Head Island, SC, he served on the Board of Directors of Deep Well Project, was a founder the new NAACP, was active in Lowcountry Liberal Men and chaired the Blues group in Indigo Run.

Jeff grew up in Allentown, PA where he graduated with honors from William Allen High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Pittsburgh and achieved his Juris Doctor of Law degree from Temple University, School of Law in Philadelphia. 

Barbara and Jeffrey expressed their philanthropic desires by funding the Opportunity Fund Scholarship at Temple University, College of Public Health and by underwriting a Smart Classroom in the new Paley Building, College of Public Health at Temple University. 

He is survived by his dedicated and loving wife of 54 years, Barbara and his beautiful daughter, Jennifer Ernico Penston of Princeton, NJ. He is especially proud of Jennifer who serves people as a physical therapist specializing in children with disabilities and who serves in medical missions in Honduras. He is also survived by Jeremy Penston, husband of Jennifer, and two smart and handsome grandsons, Tyler and Christopher Penston. He is survived by a son, Jared Jeffrey Ernico of State College, PA and his wife Kelly and by his sisters Debra Slivka, wife of Dennis of Coopersburg, PA, and Sheri Ernico, wife of Robert Johns of Monroe, CA and Honolulu, HA.

Gifts may be made to the Opportunity Fund of Temple University, supporting education for people with disabilities through scholarships https://giving.temple.edu/OpportunityScholarshipFund or to the charity of your choice.