We regret to information of the passing of Chief John J. Emerick, Jr., Retired Uxbridge Chief and uncle of former Uxbridge interim Chief Peter Emerick.
Uxbridge – John J. Emerick, Jr., 94, of Uxbridge passed away Mon. August 27, 2018 at his home. He was the husband of the late Mary M. (Senkarik) Emerick who died in 2016.
He was born April 3, 1924 in the Hecla section of Uxbridge to the late John J. and Martha (Van Riper) Emerick. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Milford, Class of 1943 and received criminal justice degrees from Dean College, Quinsigamond College and Assumption College.
In 1943 John enlisted in the U. S. Army and trained at Camp McCainn in Mississippi. He was assigned to the 166th combat engineer battalion and landed at Utah Beach on Aug. 6, 1944 and served throughout WWII including the Battle of the Bulge and the Fall of Berlin in 1945. He attained the rank of Sgt. and received a bronze star and good conduct medals. After the war, John was active in organizing and attending many reunions of the battalion, which were held in various locations throughout the country. He stayed particularly close with his former comrades.
After returning from the service John worked for a short time at the former Uxbridge Worsted Mill, the Uxbridge Highway Dept. and as a volunteer Fireman. In February of 1948 he joined the Uxbridge Police Department as a patrolman. Eventually rising to the rank of Sgt. and then January 1, 1970 he was appointed the Police Chief, a position he held until his retirement in 1987.
Following retirement, he was devoted to spending time with his family. He enjoyed gardening and fishing as well as time with his grand dogs.
John is survived by his sons, David Emerick and his wife Colleen of Uxbridge, Mark Emerick and his wife Lorraine of Coxsackie, NY and Brian Emerick and his wife Tammy of Uxbridge; three grandchildren, Melanie and her significant other Giancarlo Romano of Uxbridge, Stephen Emerick and Chris Paquette both of Uxbridge; great-grandson, Hunter Romano of Uxbridge; three sisters, Agnes McLaughlin of Whitinsville, Martha Callahan of Uxbridge and Mary Jane Ennis of Northboro; a sister-in-law, Lillian Conley of Naples, FL and brother-in-law, Julius Senkarik of Lincolnton, NC. He was predeceased by a brother, Benjamin Emerick and his sisters, Anna Kelliher, Isabelle Elias and Margaret Emerick.
The family would like to thank Alicia Cournoyer, Sue Burgess and all of the staff at the Salmon VNA and Hospice in Milford for all their help and support.
Per John’s request there will be no calling hours.
Funeral services will be held Thursday August 30, 2018 at 11 AM in St. Mary’s Church, 77 Mendon St., Uxbridge followed by burial with full Military Honors at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Granite St., Uxbridge.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Uxbridge Police Department, (Dress Uniform Account), 275 Douglas Street, Uxbridge, MA 01569 or to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061or Dog Orphans, Inc., 90 Webster St., Douglas, MA 01516.
Arrangements are under the direction of the BUMA FUNERAL HOME, Uxbridge. www.bumafuneralhome.com
Published in Worcester Telegram & Gazette from Aug. 27 to Aug. 29, 2018
