Long time member of Wilmington Rotary, Ernie Pearlstein, has passed away. For those of you fortunate to know Ernie, you knew that he was a great guy with an easy-going personality. He was also a clown with the Shriners in Wilmington.Ernest Arthur Pearlstein, born April 27, 1944, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, passed peacefully at his home on August 20, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Ernie grew up in Wilmington and later made his lifelong home in Malden. After proudly serving his country as a United States Marine, Ernie began a long and dedicated career with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
A man deeply committed to service and community, Ernie was honored with the 33rd Degree of Freemasonry for his decades of devotion to the Masonic brotherhood. He was especially proud of his involvement with the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, and participation in the charters of Independence and Logia Lodges. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Scottish Rite Children’s Learning Center in Lexington, where his efforts supported educational opportunities for children. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to helping others, Ernie was awarded the Scottish Rite Humanitarian Award in 2001. Ernie's proudest Masonry moment was being elected by the membership to serve as Junior Grand Warden in 2005.
Known to many as “Rollo T. Clown,” Ernie brought joy and laughter for more than 30 years performing in the Aleppo Shrine Circus and delighting crowds roller-skating in parades across Massachusetts, receiving recognition as Clown of the Year and serving as President of the International Shrine Clown Association. Ernie was excited to recently become a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He also worked tirelessly fundraising for the Aleppo Transportation Fund, Shriners Children's Hospital, and the Masonic Brotherhood Fund.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Goldman Funeral Chapel, Malden. For full obituary click here.