Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
John Emery Obituary
John is survived by his bride of 47 years Fran, sons John Emery of New York City and Michael Emery of Concord, MA; daughters Susan Quinby of New York City; Ann Emery of Nashville, TN and Tricia McGean of Lincoln, MA; grandchildren Cheryl Emery of Atlanta, GA; Josh Hanson of Cincinnati, OH; Will and Sara Young of Nashville, TN; Michael and Christopher McGean of Lincoln, MA; and Samantha Emery of New York City; and son-in-law Geoff McGean of Lincoln, MA. He was predeceased by his brothers, William and Steven Emery.
John was born on July 14, 1924 in Madison, WI to John and Janet Millar Emery. He attended Dartmouth College and served in the Navy Air Corps during World War II.
John began his business career with United Airlines in Passenger Service, later with National Airlines in Flight Control. He joined Emery Air Freight, a company created by his father, in 1946, shortly after its founding. He began his Emery Air Freight career as a truck driver. He later became a salesman, New York City Sales Manager, District Manager, Regional Manager, Vice President of Sales, and Executive Vice President. In 1967, he was elected President. In 1975, he became Chief Executive Officer. In April 1979, he was named Chairman of the Board and CEO. He retired in 1988. Since his retirement, he has been spending his summers in Darien and New Canaan, and winters in St. Croix.
He was involved with several charities, including the St. Croix Foundation. He was founder and Chairman Emeritus of both the Hometown Bancorporation and the Bank of Darien, CT. He was a former Director of Pitney Bowes, General Housewares, Cluett Peabody, Automated Marketing Systems, Intermodal Transportation Systems, The Hartford National Bank, Fleet Financial and the Chemical Bank National Advisory Board.
He is the past President of the 3,500 member Sales Executive Club of New York and past Chairman of SACIA (The Business Council of Southwestern Connecticut). He is also a former President of the Wings Club of New York, an organization serving the airline, aviation and air cargo industries. He was Chairman of President Reagan's White House Conference on Public/Private Partnerships held in Stamford, CT in December 1988. He held a honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Manhattan College in New York, where he also served on the Board of Directors, and an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Scranton, PA.
Services will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 1864 Post Road, Darien on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 11:00 AM. A private interment will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan, CT. A reception will follow at Wee Burn Country Club in Darien. Condolences may be expressed at [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development, 72 Flag Drive, St. Croix, U.S.V.I. 00820 and Person-to-Person, 1864 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Emery
James Luke
July 14, 2023
When we (my family) lived in Phoenix, AZ, my father and I were their home teachers for church. John "Jack" III was in my class at church (Paradise Valley 3rd Ward) from August 1976 to August 1978.
In the early 90s, I had the opportunity to work in Customer Service at the call center in Overland Park, KS (Kansas City Metropolitan). I often recalled memories while there of my Middle School and Church days in Phoenix.
So sad for your loss.
Donnie Allen
January 18, 2008
Thank you,for all the memories as a young man working for you at the Dayton Hub.
Jules J. Schnyder
May 1, 2007
Fran, on behalf of many European
staff back in the 80's, we send you our condolences and sympathy. We do remember your many visits to all Emery-offices abroad, the good time,leadership and motivation. A great person has left us.
Jules J. Schnyder
Vice-President Europe, ret.
Susan Rappuhn Olsen
April 29, 2007
My deepest condolences to Ann and the entire Emery family. This seems to be our year to lose our fathers to cancer. My thoughts are with you.
Susan Rappuhn Olsen
Oyster Bay, NY
Geoffrey Arend
April 28, 2007
On April 19, 2007, John C. Emery, Jr., son of Emery Air Freight founder John Emery, Sr., died at age 82 in his home in Connecticut from cancer.
John was among an elite half dozen of the most important people involved in 20th century air cargo. He was also one hell of a good guy.
John’s father, John Emery, Sr., created the first certified air freight forwarding company of the greatest country in the world, the United States of America. John Sr. was an officer in the Naval Air Transport Service and peacetime Railway Express manager. Emery Air Freight was an idea born of his wartime experiences, and the company enjoyed a dominant presence at the first blooming of modern air cargo.
John Jr. followed his father’s footsteps, first joining the Naval Service and then joining Emery Air Freight when his service was fulfilled. He began his career as a pick-up driver, deflecting the barb that he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He served as street salesman, New York sales manager, district manager, regional manager, Vice President of Sales and eventually, Executive Vice President. By the time John Jr. hung up his spurs, Emery was operating 180 offices with 10,000 employees and had grown from an $80,000,000 company to a company pulling in $1.2 billion dollars worth of revenue.
John Emery, Jr. was a unique individual. No single executive in modern air cargo history has done more to prosper the worldwide organization of air cargo.
He single handedly carried IACA (now called TIACA) on his back for 15 years, from the mid-1970’s to the late 1980’s, when it moved to new affiliation and management.
If John C. Emery, Sr. lit the blazing fire of air freight forwarding, it can be said that John C. Emery, Jr. fanned the flames and kept the tinder coming.
But John Jr. did not just look good on paper. John had a wonderful sense of humanity and was always quick to give a helping hand. He also had a terrific sense of humor.
Once while conducting an interview up at Emery headquarters in Wilton, Connecticut with John and his sidekick advisor at the time, the great John Mahoney, John steered our conversation towards a contentious subject and then produced some of Air Cargo News’ back issues.
The issues contained articles that were none too kind to Emery, and John feigned mock anger about our comments.
But the twinkle in his eyes, followed by the supporting evidence of a short trip down the road for lunch and adult beverages, spoke volumes about his tolerance and understanding.
His friend Bill Boesch recalls:
“I have known John Emery, Jr. for about 40 years and worked for him for 10 of those years.
I lived next to his father’s right hand man, Peter George, who got me my first job in the air cargo industry.
One of those first Wings Club speeches that I ever heard was given by his dad, John Emery, Sr.
Emery Air Freight, as it was known in those days, was the premier air freight forwarder.
Emery’s mission was to provide the very best service in the industry. John Jr. was a sales and marketing guru with the desire to put more marketing into the business.
When Fred Smith started making a name for himself during the late 1970’s through great TV ads with FedEx and unique marketing techniques to bring air cargo directly to the public, John was also quick to recognize the industry change and formed an Emery hub and spoke closed loop system.
Unlike Federal Express, which focused on the envelope and small package segment, Emery focused on mid-weight and heavy weight.
John also expanded the company’s reach international, forming the first air cargo industry global power and naming it Emery Worldwide.
John’s “9 to 5 Commercial” is still the best express TV advertisement ever.
Most people do not realize that John’s redirection of the company was a Herculean task. He had to get a smart, dedicated team behind him while also convincing the board to spend huge amounts of money needed to fund the new operation.
John Jr. had ways of getting people behind him. His best most efficient method was always remaining human and acutely aware of others’ humanity.
John loved the air and lived on the water. He routinely caught lobsters in his own lobster traps, and during the season he would come to the office in the morning with a bucket of lobsters to hand out to employees as reward for their dedication and hard work.
When executives came to call John would often invite them to his home for a cocktail party, extending his personal hospitality.
John had a lot of pride in his company and his employees. Like his father, he was a true visionary, and like any leader, John was both admired and not, depending on where you stood in the industry.
But one thing everyone can agree on is that John Emery, Jr. supported the industry whole-heartedly and should and will be remembered as one of its great pioneers.
In every speech I ever heard John Emery, Jr. give, he concluded by telling the audience to get their priorities straight.
He said your first priority should be your health, then your family, and then your job.
John, you were right.”
I think John was imparting a transcendent moment when he said that, giving the unselfish gift of the knowledge of what works best, gained from a life well lived.
On April 23 our regular readers may have seen a picture of John that we ran here, before we learned the sad and tragic news.
We were recalling people who had once meant so much to this business that we love.
Now, he is gone.
Air Cargo has lost one of the greats.
It is good to recall past times when we were all together, having fun, humping freight… the future so full of possibilities.
But it also hurts like hell right now.
Happy Landings, John
Geoffrey
Raymond Kotch
April 25, 2007
We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Frances Emery and the family upon John's passing. As a fellow member of the New Canaan Senior Men's Group,a co-director of the Bank Of Darien,a patient, and most of all a good friend, John was always there with a smile and word of support.
Dr.and Mrs.Raymond L. Kotch
Craig Heard
April 25, 2007
Our deepest sympathy to the family.
John was a mentor to me and an advisor to my business over many years. The entire Gateway Outdoor Advertising family is greatfull for his insights, advice, counsel and most importantly his friendhsip.
John was a man of his word and dedicated to his loving family.
We all will miss him.
Craig and all our families
Drs. Raymond Kotch, Joseph Miceli, and Paul Gallo
April 25, 2007
The staff of Middlesex Dental Group expresses its sorrow to the Emery Family.
Raymond & Marcia Steele
April 25, 2007
As a lifetime friend of Mr. Emery's son, John, we extend our sincere sympathy to the entire Emery family and large circle of friends.
Bonnie Margolis
April 24, 2007
I will miss Mr. Emery's kind and caring presence at The Stamford Senior Center. Truly a gentle man.
Senior Health Program Nurse
Thomas Kolenberg
April 23, 2007
On behalf of the Dispaltro-Kolenberg Group at Merrill Lynch I want to offer our sincerest condolences to Mrs. Frances Emery, and children John, Michael, Susan, Ann, and Tricia for the loss of your wonderfully kind husband and father. Over the years I've come accustomed to serving him as first a friend and then as a client. He cared about people first, and his warm generous optimism constantly brightened up my day each time we talked as it did to all those around him. I remember not to long ago when my father was ill, and was on the Stamford Hospital cancer floor for several months, John would touch base with me often and the first thing he ask was not how his accounts were doing, but rather how my father was doing. I will always remember how he made those around him feel with his sincere interest for their concerns and those of their family. When it came to his own family he expressed such pride every time we discussed each one of his children, and was filled with joy when reflecting about his grandchildren. His last Christmas with his family in St. Croix I know is one he dearly cherished. We join in your sorrow for his loss and please know that he will be remembered in our prayers.
Thomas G. Kolenberg
Vice President
Merrill Lynch
Joseph Daniel Letendre
April 22, 2007
The Nursing Staff of Stamford Hospital(M3N) wishes to offer the family of John C Emery their condolences.
FJohn Reinke (68)
April 22, 2007
The Manhattan College alumni community shares your grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself … any man’s death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.
Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results
Make a Donation
in John Emery's name
Memorial Events
for John Emery
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor John Emery's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
