Ernest ("Ernie") Brusubardis II

Ernest (“Ernie”) Brusubardis II died on May 24, 2025 in Milwaukee at the age of 83 surrounded by family. In his final hours, he was surrounded by his family’s love and music, a fitting coda to a life filled with both. Ernie was a gifted pianist, composer, conductor, and choir director and a teacher to thousands of students over the course of a 70-year career. He was born in Annuzi, Latvia but left with his family during World War II and lived in Displaced Persons camps in Germany until they emigrated to the United States in 1951. It was on the ship across the Atlantic where Ernie played one of his earliest concerts. The family settled in Milwaukee and Ernie lived there for the rest of his life. Ernie’s ability and work ethic were recognized from adolescence, and he accompanied groups at his high school, played as a featured soloist in area concerts and internationally in the Latvian community. He earned a place at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance. Following in his father’s footsteps, he conducted the Brusubardas Dzimtenes Latvian Choir. Days before Ernie’s death, the choir honored him for 70 years of involvement, including 65 as a conductor. Classically trained, Ernie was also a gifted jazz musician. Long-time Milwaukee residents have almost certainly encountered Ernie’s music at local museums, weddings, company events, parties, and festivals. He loved playing live with The Ernie Brusubardis Band, — a collection of talented players who double as some of Ernie’s closest friends. Ernie married Rosemarie Kursietis in 1962 and together had four children in 25 years of marriage. In 1992, he married Margaret Crowley, and they spent the next 33 years deeply in love. During that time, he acted as a second father to Margaret’s two children. He loved the Green Bay Packers, cool cars, and making people laugh — which he did constantly. Ernie’s music and family are his legacy. He was immensely proud of all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Brusubardis Sr. and Erna Ozolins Brusubardis; his brother, John Brusubardis, and John's wife, Virginia Brusubardis; his brother-in-law Samuel Migliaccio, and his niece, Lara Brusubardis. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Crowley; his sister, Lidija Migliaccio; and his children: Ernest Brusubardis III and his wife, Indra Brusubardis; Theodore Williams-Brusubardis and his wife, Karen Williams-Brusubardis; Alex Brusubardis and his wife, Kathryn Brusubardis; Rebecca Brusubardis and her partner Michael Weix; Diane Reis and her husband, Alex Boquist; and Patrick Reis and his wife, Lindsay Monaghan. He is lovingly remembered by his grandchildren: Ernest Brusubardis IV and his wife, Stephanie Brusubardis; Kristian Brusubardis; Viktor Brusubardis; Sonora Brusubardis; Daniella Brusubardis Smith and her husband, Riley Smith; Arianna Brusubardis Grace and her husband, Toby Grace; Aidan Williams-Brusubardis; Emrys Williams-Brusubardis; Wolfgang Brusubardis; Vigo Brusubardis; Kosette Brusubardis; Angelika Heyse and her husband Ezekiel Heyse I; James Minor; Alyssa Minor; Annika Boquist; and Mattias Boquist. He is further survived by his great-grandchildren: Violet Brusubardis; Ernest Brusubardis V; Ezra Smith; Evelyn Heyse; and Ezekiel Heyse II. He is also remembered by his nephew, Jonathan Roberts, along with Jonathan’s wife Kristina Roberts and their children, Lidija Roberts and Lara Roberts. He’s further remembered by former wife Rosemarie Kursietis and former son-in-law Dan Minor. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Latvian Lutheran Church, the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, or a charity of your choice.