John Thomas Emmons

Dearest Thomas,

You were the love of my life. Sure, we had our ups and downs, but we remained faithful and in love. We met at a Bowling Alley in Windsor, and you came home to your mom and said, "I just met the girl I'm going to marry". I was in nursing school at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Windsor and you were at the University of Windsor earning an Honours Degree in Business. We married on August 31st, 1968, when I completed my nursing training. We moved to Hamilton where you got a job as a teacher at a Vocational School. I began a job as a new R.N at St Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton. You loved teaching and began looking for a job posting in Windsor as we wanted to be closer to family. As in December 1968, we learned that we were expecting our first child. Fortunately, you found a position at Amherstburg High School. Our first son Joseph was born in August 1969, a small golden-haired boy. How proud we were. A gift from God. Speaking about God he was always first in your life. You loved the Lord. Our second son Andrew, dark hair this time was born in 1972, another gift from God. We enjoyed a quiet but busy life in Windsor surrounded by family and dear close friends, Peter and Barb, and Jerry and Audrey. BUT you had always wanted to own a business of a "cottage resort on a small lake". I think that dream came from the many fun times you went fishing with your dad at Silver Lake near Kinmount Ontario. I somewhat reluctantly said yes, and then our TRUE adventure began. In June 1976 we bought "Brandy Lake Cottages” near Port Carling in Muskoka. The little "shack in the woods" home on the property became OUR HOME until it was sold in 1983, and we moved into Bracebridge firstly living on Cedar Lane then on McMurray Street. The boys loved it at Brandy Lake - summers in the water, selling frogs to our guests for "extra money" using the tree fort that Tom built for them - winters sliding down the hill in toboggans, Joe playing hockey in Port, Andy learning to skate. In 1977 I got an R.N. position at SMMH and as I worked many years on the night shift, you had to take care of the boys - helping them with their homework and getting them ready for school. You yourself then took a few jobs, firstly as a bookkeeper at Elgin House Resort, then when we moved to Bracebridge Linda helped you get into Real Estate. You eventually began doing Real Estate appraisals in Orillia. After getting your certificate from the Appraisal Institute of Canada, you came back to Bracebridge from the Orillia firm to set up Simcoe Muskoka Real Estate Services working out of our home. You loved fishing and were fortunate to have a few good fishing buddies, firstly Peter in Windsor then Gord, my friend Donna’s husband, here in Bracebridge. It was through Gord that you eventually became a member of the Hunt Club - boy did you enjoy that. We both felt God's call to do Youth Ministry, firstly working with a group called COR (Christ and Others on Retreat). Then for 10 years we, along with Lenore, took buses of youth down to Steubenville Ohio to a Catholic Charismatic Weekend Youth Retreat. We were actively involved in Marriage Preparation Courses and the RCIA program at the Parish, as well as with Marriage Encounter Retreats. Our church family became important to us. During this time, we were actively involved in caring for our elderly parents. But throughout our busy lives, the most joy and blessings were felt with the arrival of our grandchildren. Katelyn (Kate), Zachary (Zach) and Hope were the first to arrive, children of Joseph. Then came Felicity & Abigail (the twins), Mary-Clare and Lucia - Andrew and Tracy's children. Another precious wonderful gift from God was the arrival of our great grandchildren Juliet & Simon - Kate & Josh's children. All of them brought so much happiness and joy into our lives. As in Windsor, in Bracebridge we made good friends. Lenore, John, and their children became like family to us. Remember those Friday night dinner dates out with Jackey and Tom? And sharing fun times at the cottage with Ann? Our many friends shared our joys and sorrows, filled us with laughter, good meals and lots of memories playing cards together. We have been together 56 years you and I but we both know as our faith tells us that we will be together with Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for eternity.

Love Forever,

Lynn

Written 2 yrs. ago

In loving memory of John Thomas Emmons

July 23, 1943 - September 14, 2026

Beloved husband of Lynn Emmons. Loving father of Joseph (Tanya), Andrew (Tracy). Loving Grandfather (Papa) to Katelyn (Josh), Zachary, Hope (Jamie), Felicity, Abigail, Mary-Clare, Lucia. Loving great grandfather (Papa) to Juliet and Simon. Dear brother to the late Judy Zille.

A special thank you to all of my family and friends who have been there for me and have walked with me during my journey.

With Gratitude and Appreciation to: Dr Mittal, Dr. Gupta, Dr. Spears, Dr. LePage, Dr. K Moran, Dr. Keith Cross, Dr. Whynot, Dr. Wu, Dr. Maierian, Dr Wright. Nurses from MAHC Bracebridge site: I.C.U., Family Care, Chronic Care. Respiratory Therapists at MAHC Bracebridge site. Charge nurses on the Pines 1st floor. Charge nurses, RPN's, PSW's on the Birch Wing at the Pines. Administrative staff at The Pines. All supportive staff at The Pines: Selene, Scott and all Dietary staff especially Beth. Christina, Gillian, Lisa, Jennifer & all Activity staff. R.J. and all housekeeping staff Office & Front Desk staff including Leigh, Janet, Lorraine, Kerri. All laundry staff, Physio Department, and VON Day Away Program staff. 

In lieu of flowers please give your donations to the following:

C.C.O. (cco.ca/give)

The Pines Support Committee

Hospice Muskoka

MACH Auxiliary Bracebridge site