Ernest Coursey, Sr.
ERNEST D. COURSEY, SR., age 62, departed this life on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus, after a lengthy illness.
Ernest was born on October 29,1962, to Raymond and Hazel Coursey. A life-long Atlantic City resident, Ernest attended public school and graduated from Atlantic City High School. His stellar political career began more than 34 years ago when he became Atlantic City’s Third Ward Councilmember. During his tenure on City Council, he was re-elected three times. He served on City Council from 1991 to 2002. He also served as both Council President and Council Vice President. Ernest earned his reputation as a fighter, non conformist and “people person”.
A dedicated and devoted public servant and community leader, Ernest proudly served the citizens and taxpayers of the City of Atlantic City as Deputy Mayor for Mayor Lorenzo T. Langford, Superintendent of Surf Stadium and Bader Field, and most recently as Chief of Staff for Mayor Marty Small, Sr.
Ernest served as an Atlantic County Commissioner (District 1) for 4 terms. He was first elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2016, 2019 and 2022. He was also an aide to United States Senator Robert Torricelli and a commissioner of the South Jersey Transportation Authority.
Ernest married Leslie White in 1997. From this union, 2 sons were born: Ernest Jr. and Ethan. Ernest enjoyed fishing and boating, attending church functions and spending time with his family and friends. He was a faithful member of Christ Gospel Love Center Church in Whitesboro, New Jersey and a trustee and fundraiser of Christ Gospel AGAPE Community Life Center. Ernest cherished his time working on behalf of the Jennings Funeral Home of Pleasantville, New Jersey.
Ernest was predeceased by: his parents, Raymond and Hazel Coursey and his sisters, Diane and Regina Coursey.
He leaves to cherish fond memories: his wife, Leslie White-Coursey; sons, Ernest Duane (Natalie) and Ethan; grandson, Jupiter Duane; sisters, Brenda Gilbert (Donald), and Beverly Coles (Richard); brothers, Raymond, Jr. (Pam), Robert, Edward (Patricia), Keith (Monica), Kenneth, Halbert and Harold; mother-in-love, Vivian White; sisters-in-love, Lynette White and Lori White-Rivera (Will); his bonus daughter, Lovell Rowell; special friends, Mayor Marty Small, Sr., Eddie Lax, Janet Markowitz and Chris; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren.
Complimentary parking for services on Saturday, August 9, 2025, is available on Showboat Hotel Casino’s Surface Lot, between Delaware and Maryland Avenues, and Pacific and Atlantic Avenues. Entrance is on Delaware Avenue.