Joseph Grant Emerick

Joseph Grant Emerick

Joseph Grant Emerick died peacefully on February 8, 2016. He was born on September 8, 1924 in Etna, Pennsylvania, the son of Sylvia Love Emerick and Frederick Grant Emerick, and the brother of Jean Emerick, and Gertrude Emerick Skrbin. On February 27, 1954 he married his beloved wife and best friend, Josephine Monica Marino, at the Church of the Ascension in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They lived in Pittsburgh until a job transfer brought them to Wilmington, Delaware. There they brought up three children and made a loving, welcoming home that remains as a gathering place for immediate and extended family. They enjoyed almost 60 years of marriage until Josephine's passing on February 1, 2014.

Joseph was a graduate of Etna High School, where he played football and belonged to the manual arts club. Joseph committed to the Navy shortly after his high school graduation in 1942 and entered the service just prior to his 18th birthday. He served in the Pacific Theatre from the Aleutian Islands in the North, down to Palau in the South Pacific. He was a Machinist's Mate 2nd Class, stationed primarily on a destroyer, the USS Coughlan, and on a PT Boat Tender, the USS Mobjack. While never talkative about his time in the Navy, he held a deep pride in having had the opportunity to serve, especially in the support of PT Boats in the South Pacific. Upon being discharged from the Navy in 1946, he took a job as a central office equipment installer for Western Electric, a division of AT&T, where he worked for 40 years until his retirement. His career spanned telephone equipment based on pre-WW2 designs to modern electronic switching systems. He was a member of the Pioneers of America, a volunteer network associated with AT&T.

Joseph was a private person who was, nevertheless, very friendly to all who met him. Though soft spoken, he strongly believed in equality and the fair treatment of others, regardless of their backgrounds. He had a remarkable ability to relate to people of all ages and lifestyles, particularly his grandchildren. He and Josephine were members of Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Wilmington, where he served on the vestry, was a popular Sunday school teacher, and helped with church maintenance.

Joseph was an avid reader of many types of literature. He enjoyed discussing current events, and sports as a lifelong baseball fan of the Pirates, and later the Phillies. He had a nearly encyclopedic knowledge of 20th century history and older movies. Joseph had a keen sense of humor that made everyday encounters with him just plain fun.

A generous and selfless person he was deeply devoted to his entire family. He was a trusted friend and confidant to many, especially his children. As head of the family, his most notable policy was, wherever the family was gathered, that was "the table were you should be able to say anything". And so, we were truly known to one another, a wonderful legacy.

Joseph was predeceased by his parents, his wife Josephine, and his sisters Jean and Gertrude. He is survived by his children: Cynthia (Lawrence), Christopher (Christina), and John (Anne); eight grandchildren; Michael (Ashley), David (Susan), Joanna, Kelly (Brandon), Thomas, Daniel, Jordan, and Matthew; and five great grandchildren; Jonathan, Avery, Ethan, Miller, and Marissa. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Columbia Marino Elli and Virginia Marino; many beloved nieces and nephews, including the sons of his sister Gertrude; Dennis, Dave, Jeff, and Jamie Skrbin.

A viewing will be held on Friday, February 12th at the McCrery & Harra Funeral home, 3924 Concord Wilmington 19803 (Talleyville) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., followed by a service at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be held on Monday February 15 at 2pm in the chapel of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, DE. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the USO (uso.org). To send messages of condolence visit www.mccreryandharra.com