Obituary of Robert Emmert

Robert J. Emmert, former Vice President and General Manager of T.J. Edwards Company passed away after a brief illness at the Prescott House in North Andover on Wednesday morning, May 26, 2010. He was 83 years old. Bob was born in Chelsea, the son of the late Robert and Anna Emmert. He acquired Polio at the age of 9 months. With his perseverance and family’s loving care he learned to deal with the potentially debilitating disease to live a productive and prosperous life. He grew up in Chelsea and in California. He had worked for T. J. Edwards Co, which was a Shoe Machinery Company for over 45 years. He worked his way to become Vice President and General Manager of the Company. He traveled all over the world for business often taking his wife Martha along for the company. His professional yet friendly demeanor made him well received by his customers and coworkers. He even held the position of Director of the New England Shoe Foreman and Superintendents Association. Bob was also dedicated to his church and community. He moved to Burlington 46 years ago. He was active at Saint Malachy’s Church where he served as an usher for Saturday’s 4 p.m. mass for decades. He was a member of Burlington’s Disability Access Committee working to make Burlington more accessible to individuals with disabilities. He was extremely active in the Burlington Knights of Columbus in both their Third and Fourth Degrees. He was a Past Faithful Navigator of the Fourth Degree. He was a Chairman of the councils Exceptional Children’s Committee, Chairman of the Tootsie Roll Committee, Past President of the Board of Directors, Bingo Committee and numerous other committees. He was recognized for his hard work by being awarded Knight of the Year. Bob lived for his family. He worked hard to provide for his wife and children. He had a loving relationship with his wife who was also his best friend. They traveled together, danced together and cherished each other’s companionship. After Martha passed away in 2006, Bob found it difficult to live without her. Bob was an extremely generous and loving father. He wanted his children to have all the things which he did not have as a child. He traveled all over the United States and Europe with his family. For Bob, a vacation was even better if it included a trip to an amusement park. He was a wonderful role model to his children and the importance of a life balanced with work, faith, family and community. He will be lovingly remembered by his family and many friends. Bob was the beloved husband of the late Martha V. (Sybertz) Emmert. He was the loving father of Donald Emmert & his wife Clare of Parkland, FL, Pamela O’Neill & her husband David of Byfield, Kathy Emmert & her fiancée Peter Clifford of Woburn, Laure Morgan & her husband Robert of Nashua, Robert Emmert Jr. & his wife Brenda of Lowell. He was the brother of the late Leo Emmert. He was the proud grandfather of Michael O’Neill, Kerri O’Neill-Kandji & her husband Papa Kandji, Gregory Emmert, Derek and Amy Morgan and great grandfather of Mmamoon Kandji. He was the brother-in-law of Pauline & James Dion of Burlington, Anita Sybertz of Reading, the late Elsie & William Lyons, Ruth & Robert Sweeney, and Arline & Edward DeAmelio. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, May 29 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Bob’s name may be made to the K of C Exceptional Children’s Fund, P.O. Box 25, Burlington, MA 01803 or the Reading Scholarship Foundation Inc, Permanent Memorial Fund of Alyssa Dion, P.O. Box 492, Reading, MA 01867. For directions, obituary, & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net or www.saint-malachy.org. Former Vice President of T.J. Edwards Co.