Obituary of John C. Emery, Jr.

John C. Emery, 82, husband, father, grandfather and friend, past away due to cancer on Thursday, April 19, 2007 surrounded by his loving family and compassionate staff of the Stamford Hospital. He was a special human being and touched the lives and hearts of all who knew him. His sense of humor, kindness, compassion and love towards his family and friends will forever be cherished and treasured. John is survived by his bride of 47 years Fran, sons John Emery of New York City and Michael Emery of Concord, MA; daughters Susan Quinby of New York City; Ann Emery of Nashville, TN and Tricia McGean of Lincoln, MA; grandchildren Cheryl Emery of Atlanta, GA; Josh Hanson of Cincinnati, OH; Will and Sara Young of Nashville, TN; Michael and Christopher McGean of Lincoln, MA; and Samantha Emery of New York City; and son-in-law Geoff McGean of Lincoln, MA. He was predeceased by his brothers, William and Steven Emery. John was born on July 14, 1924 in Madison, WI to John and Janet Millar Emery. He attended Dartmouth College and served in the Navy Air Corps during World War II. John began his business career with United Airlines in Passenger Service, later with National Airlines in Flight Control. He joined Emery Air Freight, a company created by his father, in 1946, shortly after its founding. He began his Emery Air Freight career as a truck driver. He later became a salesman, New York City Sales Manager, District Manager, Regional Manager, Vice President of Sales, and Executive Vice President. In 1967, he was elected President. In 1975, he became Chief Executive Officer. In April 1979, he was named Chairman of the Board and CEO. He retired in 1988. Since his retirement, he has been spending his summers in Darien and New Canaan, and winters in St. Croix. He was involved with several charities, including the St. Croix Foundation. He was founder and Chairman Emeritus of both the Hometown Bancorporation and the Bank of Darien, CT. He was a former Director of Pitney Bowes, General Housewares, Cluett Peabody, Automated Marketing Systems, Intermodal Transportation Systems, The Hartford National Bank, Fleet Financial and the Chemical Bank National Advisory Board. He is the past President of the 3, 500 member Sales Executive Club of New York and past Chairman of SACIA (The Business Council of Southwestern Connecticut). He is also a former President of the Wings Club of New York, an organization serving the airline, aviation and air cargo industries. He was Chairman of President Reagan’s White House Conference on Public/Private Partnerships held in Stamford, CT in December 1988. He held a honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Manhattan College in New York, where he also served on the Board of Directors, and an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Scranton, PA. Services will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1864 Post Road, Darien on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 11:00 AM. A private interment will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan, CT. A reception will follow at Wee Burn Country Club in Darien. Condolences may be expressed at MWEmery19@aol.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development, 72 Flag Drive, St. Croix, U.S.V.I. 00820 and Person-to-Person, 1864 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820 Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820