Emmett, known to most as “Joe”, born in Garson, Ontario on March 11th, 1937, passed away quietly at home on December 11th 2025.
At 17 years old he left home to join the Royal Canadian Air Force and so began his life as an adult. In 1955 he met Lois, the woman he called his Lady, at CFS Foymount while learning his trade. He and Lois married on May 19th, 1956, and were soon transferred to Zweibrüken, Germany. There, two sons, Larry (1957-2016) and David (1958) joined the family. By this time, Emmett was a senior ice hockey referee, plying that trade across Europe and later North America. Third son Daryll joined the family in 1963 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
In 1967, Emmett was Commissioned From the Ranks rising through the ranks and postings including Military Commander at Dye Main, a tour at Cheyenne Mountain, NORAD HQ, Commanding Officer at CFS Beauséjour, and then retiring as Lt. Colonel in 1991. Following his retirement from the RCAF, he continued working as a site supervisor back in the Arctic with Frontec/Nasittuq and traveling to Jamaica to avoid the snow.
He leaves behind Lois, his life partner of 70 years, married for 69 years, sons David (Anne) and Daryll (Suzanne), grandchildren Amanda, Raija, Kayla (Scott), Daniel (Alyssa) and Patrick (Julie) and great-grandchildren Mateus and Violet. He is also survived by his sisters Emerelda and Marlene.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 1:00pm at Beechwood Cemetery, Funeral and Cremation Services located at 280 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa ON, K1L 8A6. The family will be present to receive condolences from 11:00am to the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to a charity of your choice or to the Toronto Maple Leafs.