John R. Emra

1940 - 2025

John R. Emra
August 2, 1940 - April 7, 2025
John Robin Emra, 84 of Guilford, Connecticut passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025 surrounded by family.
John was born on August 2, 1940 in Freeport, NY to his father John Robin Emra and his mother Sally Philbrick Emra. He grew up in Long Island, NY and later Glen Rock, NJ. He graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1958 and went on to attend the University of Vermont. He built a life rooted in hard work and love for family.
His abiding passion was for his wife Alice. They were to celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary this August. The two are true soul mates in every sense of the word. Alice and John didn't need or want a big group of friends; having each other was all they ever wanted or needed. John loved doing things for and providing for Alice. When his health was in decline later in life, they swapped roles, and she was his steadfast protector and doting caregiver. Even at the very end of his life, the sound of Alice's voice and her appearance in his hospital room brought a beautiful smile to his face. They both believe and know that while they are physically separated today, they will always be together spiritually.
John was a proud and loving parent to Susan Butka (Paul) of Yarmouth Port, MA, Lynn Emra of Waterbury, CT, and John Robin Emra, Jr. (Susannah) of Fairfield, CT, and stepchildren Lisa Hipp (Jack) of Brattleboro, Vermont and Robert Henderson of Oxford, CT. He was immensely proud of his children and their accomplishments.
He was also a cherished grandparent to Robert and Olivia Delmonico; David, Michael and Daniel Butka; and John "Jack" and Caitlin Emra.
John tried to impart to his children the values he cared about, including the importance of being on time, working hard, and doing your best. While he may have been brusque in his delivery, his lessons always came from the heart and with a desire to see the best for them.
John was the consummate salesman. He started his career selling Mustangs when Ford first released them in 1964. He would go on to join Sunoco in 1967 where he took on several increasing roles throughout the Northeast, ultimately leading a large sales team for the company. He conceived of a nationally recognized sales incentive program he dubbed the "Sunny Dollars Program" which helped to drive record sales for his team and their customers. He retired from Sunoco after 28 years in 1995. If the old saying is that "coffee is only for closers" than John today is rightfully enjoying a large mug of black coffee.
He is survived by his wife Alice; children and stepchildren; grandchildren; brother Bruce Emra (Bobbi) of Greer, SC; and niece Julie Emra (Jake) of Ypsilanti, MI.
A private celebration of life for the family will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank the medical staff at Yale New Haven Hospital and Connecticut Hospice for their compassion, dedication, and support. They made a short, but trying, time better for John and his loved ones. Arrangements in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com .