Obituary of Philip G. Emmerson

EMMERSON, PHILIP GORDON – The eldest of three sons was born September 6, 1916 to Ethel Maude Emmerson (nee Tompson) and Gordon Cummings Emmerson in England. His mother had joined her husband Gordon overseas as he had been wounded early in WWI and was later assigned to the Canadian War Office for the duration of the war. Philip was raised in Saint John and in 1932 was in the first graduating class of the new Saint John High School on Prince William Street. He furthered his training by completing the commercial program at Saint John Vocational School. He was to later join the Schofield Paper Co. Ltd. Working his way into a field sales position. During this time he joined the Naval Reserves and had attained the rank of Petty Officer before joining the WWII effort in 1939. He was married to Muriel Ruth Bustin in 1940. His war service included various assignments including duty aboard HMCS Ottawa. He was decommissioned from the navy in 1945 having attained the rank of Lieutenant. He returned to Schofield Paper as the sales representative for New Brunswick and continued there until 1949 where he partnered with the then Schofield Nova Scotia sales representative to form Eastern Paper. This new business was to later spawn a manufacturing business known as Poly Cello in 1956. His eldest son John joined the business in 1963 and purchased both businesses in 1976, three years prior to Philips retirement in 1979. Over his business career Philip and his wife Ruth raised a family of five children. Philips interest in his family and community lead him to be involved in many organizations and he was a long standing member of the Mission Church. Some of his memberships include the Canadian Naval Officers Assn., Saint John Board of Trade, Union Club, Bying Boys, St. Georges Society of Saint John, Royal United Services Institute of N.B., Ball’s Lake Fishing Club, Saint John Power Boat Club, Royal Kennebecasis Yacht Club, Poley Mountain Development Limited, Canadian Assn. for the Mentally Retarded and the Saint John Kiwanis Club. His long standing association with Kiwanis involved him as President of his local club and later as Lieutenant Governor of Eastern Canada (Ontario & Atlantic Provinces) and the Caribbean. While a Kiwanian he spear headed the formation of Key Industries and ensured its sustainability in the formative years. This is an organization that trains and develops the potential of challenged youth. Philip was also the founder of Emmaus House in Hampton N.B., another facility for the care and training of socially and mentally challenged persons. His love for the sea was expressed through his ownership of two very stout motor vessels, the “Jojurogomi” and “Katadin”. Between these two vessels he was to travel thousands of miles between points in the Caribbean and as far north as Frobisher Bay, Baffin Island. He has circumnavigated Newfoundland several times and always maintained that the best cruising grounds on the eastern seaboard were the coasts of Labrador and Newfoundland. He exposed family and friends to the joys of boating and adventures surrounding the sea. An avid skier, he became involved as a board director with the Poley Mountain Development Limited during the formative years of the area’s development that brought in a new lodge, snowmaking and a chair lift. In addition to downhill skiing he had a keen interest in promoting cross-country skiing and was instrumental in developing and maintaining a trail system in the area surrounding Poley Mountain. Philip Emmerson’s life is characterized by his interest in people and taking leadership initiatives that impacted on the lives of others. He will be missed by his family and the people whose lives he has touched over the years. He is survived by his sons John and his wife Deanna of Rothesay, Robert P. of Hampton, Gordon and his wife Catherine of Whitby, ON, Michael and his wife Erica of Dallas, TX; daughter Judith and her husband Jacques St. Cyr, of Lakefield, PQ; grandchildren Bryan, Stephen, John K., Julie, Suzanne, Eric, Paul, Andrew, Daniel and Meredith; great-grandchildren Alexandria, David, Hunter, Sebastien, Destiny, Drake, Autumn, Jakin, Andrea, Amelia, Emma, Tristan and Sophia. Besides his wife and parents his brothers Charles and Stanley predeceased him. Resting at Brenans Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row (634-7424), with visiting on Thursday and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Following cremation the funeral service will be held on Saturday, at 11:00 am, from St. John Baptist & St. Clements (Mission Church), 819 Millidge Ave. Interment at Fernhill Cemetery. Remembrances made to key Industries, the Alzheimer Society or a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated.