Ernest Branch was born on November 12, 1939, to Margret Toppin and Ernest George Branch in the village of Roxborough, Tobago. A s a child, he attended Ebenezer Methodist Primary School, also the Roxborough Anglican Primary School. Ernest was a very quiet and well-respected child in school. He rarely got in trouble with his teachers. After leaving school, as a teenager, he got involved in Weightlifting. He loved lifting weights and going to the gym. He was known as the guy with the muscles. He continued his love of lifting weights and exercising into his later years. He also loved swimming and scuba diving. He did it as much as possible and became very proficient at both sports, after all he did grow up by the beachside.

At the age of 20, Ernest Branch, became a father.  After his first child, came what can only be described as a sports team of kids. He was the father of eleven. He had enough children to create his own basketball team plus reserves. With eleven children came twenty-two grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

His first job was at the Ministry of Agriculture in Tobago. He eventually migrated to Canada as part of the Farm Worker's Program. Ernest was an avid traveler. He worked on a cruise ship and traveled to many different countries and lived in   Bermuda, Jamaica, Bahamas, U.S Virgin Islands and Belize. He did a little of everything. You name it, he did it.

In 1982 he migrated to Miami, Florida. The following year, he was introduced to Noreena through one of her patients. The two developed a friendship and two years later, in 1985, they produced their son, Kevin. The family expanded in 1989 when Ernest opened his heart and welcomed Noreena's children who had just migrated from Jamaica. Instantly, he was affectionately called "Big Ernie'' to differentiate between him and Noreena's younger son "Little Ernie".

Ernest and Noreena lived in North Miami and got married on June 1, 1991.

Last year, Ernest had more doctor visits than usual, and he was eventually diagnosed in early 2022 with bladder cancer. His journey was painful and took a toll on his health. Ernest was blessed to have had his loved ones by his side and others calling daily to check on him as he battled this disease. On October 13, 2022, Ernest succumbed to the grips of the disease and said his earthly goodbye.

Ernest, "Big Ernie", "Grandfather", dad, you will be greatly missed and forever be in our hearts.