Herbert F. Emery

HERBERT F. EMERY
NEWFIELD - Herbert Frank Emery passed away peacefully at his home at 541 Millard Hill Road, Newfield, New York on Friday morning, April 10, 2009. Herbert was the eldest son of Frank and Edna Liddington Emery, and a lifelong resident of Newfield, NY, was born on March 20, 1925. His was a farming family and at an early age, Herb grew to love the animals and the farm. His early school years, grades one through six, were spent in the Payne Schoolhouse at Old Payne and Shaffer Roads, with Margaret VanRiper, who became a mentor and friend throughout his life. His high school years were begun at the Union Free School on Bank Street, where he played basketball on a clay court. Moving to the brand new central school in 1939, he and the other athletes relished playing in a real gym. Herb also played on the basketball and soccer teams. Following graduation in 1943, Herb began driving school bus and two years later became night custodian. In 1944 Herb was one of several Newfielders who were deferred from the draft to work on the farm. In 1967, Herb assumed the position of Supervisor of Building and Grounds, finally retiring in June of 1981. In the May 1981 issue of the Newfield School Bulletin, the then Superintendent Donald Hickman wrote the following: "While employed at Newfield Central School, Herb was involved in the planning of the construction of the junior-senior high school and renovations to the elementary school. He worked with the custodial staff to develop the grounds into one of the best athletic and playground facilities in the area. More recently, Herb has worked on energy conservation, saving the district thousands of dollars through the construction of vestibules, thermostat modifications and a good common sense approach to fuel economy." Herb has continued to substitute and chaperone many football and basketball games as recently as January 17, 2008. Early retirement meant that he could return to full time farming and caring for the beef cattle, pigs and chickens. It wasn't long before he added sheep, starting with 5 bred ewes and the flock growing to over 60 adults. Herb was a lifetime member of the Newfield Fire Company, beginning in 1943 and was much involved with the building of the then "new" firehouse (now Newfield post office) after the 1969 fire. A charter member of the Newfield Lions, he served as treasurer for many years. Herb was a Councilman on the Newfield Town Board for the years, 1992-2003. Working for the success of Newfield's annual celebration, "Newfield Old Home Days," Herb has taken many roles, including Chair Person and Grounds Man. Together, he and his wife Florence have served as Co-Presidents of the Finger Lakes Sheep Growers. Herb has served on the Woodlawn Cemetery Committee and the Newfield Recreation Committee and in his spare time, he has coached Kiwanis Baseball and Little League. Asked in an interview in 2004, what is the one thing that he would like people to say about him, he said that he would like to have people say that he would do anything to help the people in the Town of Newfield. Herb was preceded in death by his parents, his son Mark; grandsons, Edward and Jonathan; sisters, Dorla, Arline, Eloise and Edith. He is survived by his wife, Florence (Dart); his sons, David (Barbara) and Victor (Kim); daughters, Arlene (Ronald) Parker and Barbara (Steve) Lightle; grandsons, Benjamin, Matthew, Joseph, Louis, Angel, Jamie, Jeremiah and Bob; and nine great grandchildren; and also his brothers Carl, Leo and Ronald.
Calling hours will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Bangs Funeral Home, Ithaca, on Monday, April 13, with a Memorial Service officiated by Reverend Dr. James Henry of the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca on Tuesday, April 14, at Newfield Central High School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. Graveside services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Herbert Emery Scholarship Fund.