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Bernard E. Emerson Jr.

Bernard Emerson Obituary

Lieutenant Bernard E. Emerson Jr., 44, of Mechanicsville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 27, 2006. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lisa Starke Emerson; and his sons, Austin Hugh and Hayden Marr Emerson. He is also survived by his parents, retired Captain Bernard E. Emerson Sr. and Jean Emerson; his sisters, Deborah E. Arnett and husband, Brent, and Karen A. Emerson; his nieces, Julie Scott and husband, Ian, Emily Cornett, Claire Arnett; a nephew, Mark Arnett; two great-nieces, Davelynne Worrell and Beneree Scott; along with many loving aunts, uncles, friends and his firefighter family. Bernard passionately served the City of Richmond Fire Department beginning in December, 1987, where he was a member of the Honor Guard and was recently promoted to lieutenant in May, 2003. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Mechanicsville Chapel of the Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road. Funeral services will be held 12 noon Monday, July 31, at First English Lutheran Church. Interment Forest Lawn. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VCU Health Systems Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, North Hospital, 10th Floor, 1300 E. Marshall St., Richmond, Va. 23298-0157.

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Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch from Jul. 29 to Jul. 30, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Bernard Emerson

26 Entries

Heather McCaskill

August 20, 2006

Lisa, Austin, and Hayden- I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have so many fond memories of times on Lake Gaston w/ Little Bernard. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Heather

Mark Wilcox

August 7, 2006

There are no words that can describe the empty feeling so many of share with the passing of Bernard. He & I first met at age 2. Nearly every memory I have of childhood, teen years, & young adulthood is interwoven with Bernard's life. To say he was a unique person would be a great understatement. The people who spoke of Bernard at the funeral described the same kid I spent so much of my life with. It brought me a great deal of joy to know that my friend hadn't changed. A great deal of joy to know that his loving wife, sons, parents, sisters, & friends all loved him because of who he was. So, in that sense, he really isn't gone. I believe that Bernard will continue to be with us all in spirit until we meet him again in Heaven. What a reunion that will be!

Rest Well Old Friend,

Mark

Ashley Picchi

August 6, 2006

I am very sorry to hear of Lt. Emerson's passing. He was a very kind man and always a wonderful firefighter. We will miss running calls with him, he will be missed every single day.

Helen Kessler Morris

August 4, 2006

I was so sorry to hear about Bernard's death. I knew him growing up at First English Lutheran Church.When I'd come home to Richmond to visit Mom and come to church, I could always count on a smile and a hug from Bernard. I will remember his big smile and the twinkle in his eye. I am thinking of you all and will keep you in my prayers.

Michael Hufner

August 3, 2006

Lisa,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Jack McElfish

August 2, 2006

I was so sorry to hear of Lt. Emerson's passing. He was a great firefighter and a great person. My prayers go out to his family.

Carol Foster

August 1, 2006

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.

Jessica Dail-CCO Mortgage co-worker

July 31, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this extremely difficult time. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Bern I know he was a wonderful man.

John & Evelyn Hinant

July 31, 2006

Bernard and Family, I was out of town and I am so very sorry to learn of Bernard’s passing. I had a phone message left, advising me this when we got home a little while ago. Needless to say I am so sorry that I didn’t get back in time to be with you all today. I always liked Bernard and he was an outstanding Firefighter and role model. He will truly be missed. God Bless each of you.

Eric Rowsey

July 31, 2006

Lisa My thoughts are with you, Austin and Haden. I know how you feel. My father died when I was very young. My Prayers are with you and your family. God Bless

Gayla Stout

July 31, 2006

Lisa, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Whenever I think about Bern, I just smile. He was always so kind and positive through everything he endured. What an incredible person! I feel blessed to have known him.

Taina Bottoms

July 31, 2006

Dear Lisa, Austin and Hayden,

Words cannot begin to express the pain and sorrow you must be feeling. As friends, our loss is great, for Bern was a great friend. His zeal for life was felt by all who knew him. I have never met anyone else that could match his energy and drive. I believe Bern could dance circles around us all, literally. He will be missed, but his memory will live on. He gave us all wonderful memories of his humor and love for life.

We love you very much, and our prayers are with you.

Love, Ernie, Taina and Jonathan.

MICHELLE Butler

July 31, 2006

Bernie will be missed by his friends/family in Apheresis Dept at VCU. He was a special person.

Shirley Abbott

July 30, 2006

"Tootsie" and Bernard, and Lisa, we are so very sorry to learn of the passing of Bernard, Jr., and want to let you know you are in our thoughts and prayers!! Sorry we cannot make it to the funeral!

Bobby and Carol Seay

July 30, 2006

Dear Lisa,Austin &Hayden, Bobby and I were so sadden when we of emo's passing. The news just broke my heart, Please know that he will always be watching over you and the boys. I know he gave all of his heart and soul to the fire department as did bobby. Heaven has just gained one of earth's finest angels. with love and prayers

Terri, Frank, Jessica, and Amanda Curbeira

July 30, 2006

Our prayers are with your family during this time of sorrow. We are so sorry for your loss and hope in time the sadness will be replaced by the happiness of cherished memories in your hearts.

Bryant Edwards

July 30, 2006

I was deeply saddened to read about Bernard today. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. What a joy it was to have had the chance, to see and talk with Bernard at our Class of 1980 Reunion, last August. He will be missed!

Bryant Edwards

John/Adelaide Benvengo

July 29, 2006

Our prayers are with you all. We lost someone very special.

Lynne Kimbrough

July 29, 2006

Lisa, Austin, and Hayden,

Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to you and your family. Bern was a one of a kind super guy and will be missed by all who knew him.

Lynne, Ned, and Carey Kimbrough

Reni Gower

July 29, 2006

To our dear friends:

We are so sorry to learn of Bernard's passing. As we are currently in Paris, we will be unable to attend the funeral, but please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. May you find peace, despite this tremendous sadness.

Our sincerest sympathy;

Reni Gower, Jeff, Erin, and Hallie Nelson

Rick Glasco

July 29, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you

Rick and Ginny Glasco

Roy and Joyce Scafidi

July 29, 2006

Dear Lisa, Austin and Hayden

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

We love you all.

Chris Dean and Amanda Bunn

July 29, 2006

We are so sorry for the loss of this beloved man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Thelma ( Leo, Sr.) Mesco

July 29, 2006

With deepest sympathy

Retired Captain Gary Holt

July 29, 2006

A fine person and brother firefighter, Our loss and Heavens

gain.

Cindy and Tony Bedsaul

July 28, 2006

We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. (This is Cindy, Warren and Shirley Abbott's daughter and my husband, Tony)

Bernard came from a long established family in Richmond, with his great, great, great grandfather John Mascow settling in Shockoe around 1838 near the present day cemetery. The family stayed in that area with Bernard's great, great grandfather Henry Mesco running the family store until Bernard's great grandfather, Lawrence Mesco, moved to the south side of Broad St and began his firefighter career. Bernard's grandfather, Hugh Emerson was a firefighter and his father, Bernard, Sr. retired from firefighting several years ago. This legacy continued through Bernard, Jr. His bravery and dedication to the lives and safety of others set him apart. He will missed by all.

You are all in our thoughts and prayers,

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