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Alan EMMOTT Obituary
EMMOTT, Alan HerbertBorn February 16 1921, Victoria BC. Died in his sleep in the early hours of September 20th 2010 at Burnaby General Hospital after a month of hospitalization in a recurring battle with cancer. He was only several months short of his 90th birthday, and perhaps his biggest regret is that he was not able to actually live to celebrate this birthday. However, he was basically at peace with his fate, and everyone is in agreement that he had lived a full, satisfyirig `life. He did manage to defy the Grim Reaper a number of times, quite impressively. He survived more Than 50 trips with the RCAF over Germany and occupied territory during WW2, for which, he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. And in 1992, he managed to survive prostate cancer, holding it at bay for 18 years. But on a much more positive note we celebrate the illustrious career he had in local politics that covered a period of thirty years. This included the long tenure as mayor of Burnaby, alderman,and chairmanship of what is now known as Metro Vancouver, the GVRD His official City of Burnaby biography states; It would be impossible to sum up in a few sentences the contributions that Alan made to our community during his time as Reeve, and our first Mayor... This would include local infrastructure developments, as well as the establishment of Simon Fraser University; and he was rewarded by being elected to one of the longest tenures served by a Bumaby mayor. This service also led to numerous awards. Perhaps the most notable of these were the honorary doctorate granted by SFU in 1 983 and the Freeman of Bumaby status, that was conferred upon him in 1993. He was married three times: To Joan Osment, June Howarth, and Vivian Walker, outliving his last two wives. He was survived by his older brother, Norman Emmott; his three sons, Vaughan, Alan, Graeme; four grandchildren- Rhys, Leah, Kristina and Gareth;as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind him a loyal and supportive extended family, as well as an impressive,diverse network of friends, associates and contacts. All agree that he exuded warmth and humour, and he had made a positive impact on their lives. Because of all this, we will miss him,and there will be a celebration of life at Bonsor Community Centre, 6550 Bonsor Avenue, Burnaby, on October 24 2010 at 12pm- 5pm. It would be appreciated that all considered donations be directed towards the Tetra Society of North America, 604-688-6464
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9 Entries
Beth Howarth
October 23, 2010
My thoughts and prayers got out to Alan's children, Vaughan (and sons Garreth and Rhys), Alan Jr., and Graeme (and daughters Leah and Christina), to their extended families, including the relatives of Alan's late wife, Vivian, and to Alan's surviving older brother, Norman.
I have spent the last month reminiscing about Alan. I hadn't realized that he and my Aunt June had been married 41 years, but I'm not surprised, nor does it surprise me that Alan has lived in the same house in Burnaby for all the time I have known him, and that spans a period of over 50 years. Whoever nicknamed him "Mr. Burnaby" chose an apt title. He seemed to personify the city. They grew up together and reached the age of majority together. Burnaby changed from a town into a city, and Alan transformed from Burnaby's last Reeve into Burnaby's first Mayor, a position he held for a decade.
Also, it never surprised me that June wound up with Alan. June came from a family of four children (Graeme--my father, Jean, June, and Charlie). Whenever Jean would come to visit my father in Calgary, they would go at it at the dinner table in quite a robust fashion. I could only imagine how heated everything could have gotten if all four of them had been present! I saw that June evolved into the mediator for such occasions, and her subsequent career as a mother, social worker and a politician's wife seemed to fall into her lap naturally. She loved Alan dearly and she also loved the political arena, so they were well suited. I will treasure the photo on the Web of Alan sitting on the bench he had had erected for June at the time of her passing. The rhododendrons growing behind the bench, and its location in Burnaby's Deer Lake Park beside the Art Gallery reflect June's work with the rhododendron garden and the Art Gallery. She would have been very pleased.
I read Heather's comments below about our visit to Burnaby. I remember our visit very well. I was 17 and she was 18. I believe that the tea party she mentioned was held at the home of Joan (Huestis) Foster, a dear friend of June's and Alan's. She was a wonderful artist with a very engaging personality, and she had a lovely home and garden. Unfortunately my recollection of the tea party is marred by my having spilled a full cup of tea in my lap. That was not a good way to create a good first impression!
Alan gave each of us a book of many of Joan's paintings. In it is a picture that hangs in the Emmott home. In her book, Joan had these words to say about it: "Alan's portrait was a two-sided portrait on an invisible hinge. When the Emmott's were giving a party, and as the drinking and the evening progressed, someone could just turn the portrait. The first side was Alan beautifully dignified with his chain of office, and when you turned it over, there he was as a wild, beaming Napoleon drunk with power. The caption read, 'A Funny Thing happened on the way to the Astrodome.' Alan had a great sense of humour, just stunning."
I also remember that one day on that holiday June and Alan took us to Victoria. They spent the day at political functions, and Heather and I took our cousins, Alan and Graeme, to Victoria's wax museum. I found it touching that the wax museum closed its doors at about the time of Alan's passing. It seemed fitting, somehow.
Alan had a son by his first marriage to a lady in England. His name is Vaughan. A summer or two after Heather's and my visit to the coast, Alan and June brought Vaughan, who was visiting from England, for a visit to our cottage at Sylvan Lake in Alberta. Vaughan was trying to pry from me what kind of music I liked. I was very shy. Alan helped. He leaned over to Vaughan and said, "She likes rock and roll, Vaughan." That broke the ice, and Vaughan and I spent the rest of that holiday together singing every song on the hit parade. Ever since that time, my memories of Vaughan have been tinged with memories of his voice singing Roy Orbison's music.
I was extremely impressed with the video From the Heart: The Freeman Legacy that was made for Alan and four other Freemen of Burnaby by the City of Burnaby and SFU's Learning & Instructional Development Centre (LIDC). It was very professional, and I felt that it honoured each of them in a unique way. I will treasure the footage of Alan (and June and boys) during his active political campaigning and years in office, with the school children, and with his dear friends of many years' standing. What a lovely keepsake it was for each of the Freemen. I felt honoured to have been invited to the Shadbolt Centre for the initial showing with all the families of the Freemen.
Alan was exeedingly fortunate to find another wonderful lady to marry in later life. Her name was Vivian, and she enriched the lives of the Emmott family immeasurably. She became a grandmother figure for Leah and Christina. She had a flair for home decorating, and she loved to garden. Unfortunately she predeceased Alan in January of this year.
I was moved when I last saw Alan. He knew it was a final visit, and he held my hand and asked after each member of my family, referring to my brother as "Davey", a term of endearment not used since childhood, and remembering my sister, Anne's, married name (Poffenroth). Alan always prided himself with remembering names. After mentioning Heather and me, he spoke of how sorry he felt for my stepmother, Polly, because her final years were very difficult. He had remembered her as being a very vibrant lady, which she definitely had been. Ironically, Alan passed away 5 years to the day that Polly passed away.
Alan will be remembered fondly by many, many people. He led a rich and full life, and no one can ask for more than that. God bless you, Alan.
Beth Howarth
October 23, 2010
My thoughts and prayers go out to Alan's children, Vaughan (and sons Garreth and Rhys), Alan Jr., Graeme (and daughters Leah and Christina), to their extended families, including the relatives of Alan's late wife, Vivian, and to Alan's surviving older brother, Norman.
I have spent the last month reminiscing about Alan. I hadn't realized that he and my Aunt June had been married 41 years, but I'm not surprised, nor does it surprise me that Alan has lived in the same house in Burnaby for all the time I have known him, and that spans a period of over 50 years. Whoever nicknamed him "Mr. Burnaby" chose an apt title. He seemed to personify the city. They grew up together and reached the age of majority together. Burnaby changed from a town into a city, and Alan transformed from Burnaby's last Reeve into Burnaby's first Mayor, a position he held for a decade.
It never surprised me that my Aunt June wound up with Alan. June came from a family of four children (Graeme--my father, Jean, June and Charlie). Whenever Jean would come to visit my father in Calgary, they would go at it at the dinner table in quite a robust fashion. I could only imagine how heated everything would have become if all four of them had been present! I saw that June evolved into the mediator for such occasions, and her subsequent career as a mother, social worker, and politician's wife seemed to fall into her lap quite naturally. She loved Alan dearly, and she also loved life in the political arena, so they were well suited. I will treasure the photo on the Web of Alan sitting on the bench he had had erected in June's honour when she passed away. It's an excellent shot of Alan, and the bench's location in front of the rhododendrons in Burnaby's Deer Lake Park reflected June's involvement with both the rhododendron garden and the Art Gallery. She would have been very pleased with it.
I read Heather's comments below about our visit to Burnaby. I remember that visit very well. I was 17, and she was 18. I believe that the tea party she mentioned was held at the home of Joan (Huestis) Foster, a dear friend of June's and Alan's. Joan was a wonderful artist with a very engaging personality. She also had a lovely home and garden. It's a pity that the occasion was marred when I tried too hard to make a good first impression and spilled a full cup of tea in my lap!
Alan gave my siblings and me each a book of many of Joan's paintings. In it is the two-sided picture that hangs in the Emmott family home. In her book, Joan had these words to say about it: "Alan's portrait was a two-sided portrait on an invisible hinge. When the Emmott's were giving a party, and as the drinking and the evening progressed, someone could just turn the portrait. The first side was Alan beautifully dignified with his chain of office, and when you turned it over, there he was as a wild, beaming Napoleon drunk with power. The caption read, 'A Funny Thing happened on the way to the Astrodome.' Alan had a great sense of humour, just stunning."
I also remember that one day on that holiday, June and Alan took us to Victoria. They spent the day at political functions, and Heather and I took our cousins, Alan and Graeme, to Victoria's wax museum. I found it touching that the wax museum closed its doors at about the time of Alan's passing. It seemed fitting, somehow.
Alan had a son by his first marriage to a lady in England. His name is Vaughan. A summer or two after Heather's and my visit to the coast, Alan and June brought Vaughan, who was visiting from England, for a visit to Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Vaughan was trying to pry from me what kind of music I liked. I was very shy. Alan helped. He leaned over to Vaughan and said, "She likes rock and roll, Vaughan." That broke the ice, and Vaughan and I spent the rest of that holiday together singing every song on the hit parade. Ever since that time, my memories of Vaughan have been tinged with memories of his voice singing Roy Orbison's tunes. He had a great voice.
I was extremely impressed with the video From the Heart: The Freeman Legacy that was made for Alan and four other Freemen of Burnaby by the City of Burnaby and SFU's Learning & Instructional Development Centre (LIDC). It was very professional, and I felt that it honoured each of them in a unique way. I will treasure the footage of Alan (and June and the boys) during his active political campaigning and years in office, and of Alan speaking with the school children and meeting with his dear friends of many years' standing. What a lovely keepsake it was for each of the Freemen! I felt honoured to have been invited to the Shadbolt Centre for the initial showing with all the families of the Freemen present.
Alan was exceedingly fortunate to find another wonderful lady to marry in later life. Her name was Vivian. They spent his final decade together. She had a warm and friendly personality and became a grandmother figure for Leah and Christina. She had a definite flair for home decoration, and she loved to garden. Unfortunately, she predeceased Alan in January of this year.
I was moved when I last saw Alan. He knew it was a final visit, and he held my hand and asked after each member of our family, using a term of endearment for my brother "Davey" from bygone days. He was always good with names, right to the end, and he proudly pronounced my sister, Anne's, married name of Poffenroth. Lastly he expressed regret that my stepmother, Polly, had had such a difficult time before her passing. He remembered her as such a vibrant lady, which she definitely was. Ironically, he passed away five years to the day that Polly passed away.
Alan will be remembered fondly by many, many people. He led a rich and full life, and no one can ask for more than that. God bless you, Alan.
October 22, 2010
Dear Alan, Graeme, Leah, Kristina & Vaughn -
My sympathies to all of you for the loss of your Father and Grandfather. I too, have many fond memories of him. One in particular concerns the last summer I spent with Uncle Alan and Auntie June when Alan jr. (Lanny!) was about 5 years old and Graeme, 2 years. That summer due to Alan's preeminence, I got into the Exhibition Grounds free, visited a session of the Council to see him conduct a meeting between Burnaby's dignitaries and some of Washington's dignitaries (very impressive!) and spent much quality time with your family.
I also remember meeting Vaughn at a later date - a very impressive young man at the time.
Unfortunately, I did not have the pleasure of meeting his second wife, I understand from others she was a lovely and refined woman.
We will miss Alan. I believe all of us will miss his wit and sense of humor.
With warmest regards,
Anne (Howarth) Poffenroth
October 20, 2010
Dear Alan Jr., Graeme, Leah and Kristina,and Vaughan.
Memories of Uncle Alan, your Dad and Grandpa, go a long way back. He was kind to us. Beth and I came to Vancouver to visit the summer of 1961. Both Auntie June and Uncle Alan welcomed us even though they were campaigning for Alan to be Mayor of Burnaby. I remember a wonderful elegant "Tea" held at their home and the ladies all wore big hats. We had a really great holiday. Graeme and Alan you were so young then, and very sweet.
Not long ago we had a visit when your Dad was in Calgary. He really did not seem to age. I have been enjoying reading all the articles in the paper Beth has emailed to me and learning more about Uncle Alan the politician. He made a difference and did take a stand when he needed to. That was very commendable.
Your dad was a special person and he will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Love,
Heather Howarth
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Virginia & Celenir Dionne
October 9, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Kirsten Emmott
October 5, 2010
My condolences to Graeme, Vaughan and Alan Jr. and the grandchildren. I will miss Uncle Alan.
Louise Hon
September 30, 2010
To Graeme, Leah and Kristina
Thinking of you with our deepest condolences to you all and the rest of your family. Gary, Louise, Cheryl, Eric and Alex Hon
September 29, 2010
My parents, Reg and Betty Millway, were very good friends with Alan. it was Alan who introduced my father to active participation in public life in Burnaby. I was able to speak to Alan earlier this month when it was discovered that he was in the room next to my father at Burnaby General. He will be missed, but his contributions to Burnaby will live on.
Frances (Millway) Malcolm
Gary Pecknold
September 25, 2010
Gary & Joan Pecknold, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - relatives and cousin of Stephanie Feltham and Faye Browne.
Proud of Alan's political contributions.
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