Emerson, John "Jack"

Liz Zavitz well Jack it with deepest sadness that I write this message two weeks ago yesterday I found out that you died the last of my three brothers, and the one that I had the strongest bond with....I think back about when we were kids living on Petticoat Lane in the old farm house.... we shared secrets,when one of us hurt we both did...you had asthma so bad I remember hearing you at night struggling to breath when you got a cold....we walked to school kids now a days dont know what it is like. You were really a fast runner, like the wind even with asthma...we had pets come and pass that was heartbreaking...then we had to go to new schools from one with fourteen students in all to where there were almost thirty in one room...we both found that hard to adjust to..we were private people ...we keep things inside, put our walls up our way of coping...that we carried into adulthood..we lost our mom she died young the older siblings had her longer than we did...it didn't seem fair but that is life it isnt always fair...she taught us well about how to treat others even when we didn't think we were listening but we were it come out threw our lives...sometimes we didn't always make the right choices but lived with them same as she did...remember when she took a heart attack and was in hospital for months I hadn't started school yet..you were in grade one...we never thought we would see her again but we did her hair had changed color and she looked so different but her voice that was familiar..think about it she gave birth to seven of us...and the older ones were always so bossy...we learned to tune then out..life happened we ended up in different places but the bond we had stayed strong..you and Trudy came up north for a surprise visit you and I picked up where we left off from before...what a good feeling...In time I moved back was divorced and married Norm and we would come to visit and again the bond...you and Norm became good friends and I remember us talking about our older siblings and laugh of things gone by your laugh was infectious, everyone one recognized it wherever you went...I can close my eyes and think and hear it in my mind...you worked at different jobs but one wasn't working on fishing boats like Allen and Chris...you went once and fell over board and couldn't swim that was it no more...you workers at Cuddy,s for twenty years...and your hands were so sore most of your life eczema...it seemed so unfair..in 2008 we lost out big brothers first Chris and then Allen four months later..you and Allen lived together over thirty years and that was hard on you...Chris was sick for three years and I seen him almost everyday in those last three years....then 2009 Norm passed and you came to his funeral it was nice because you two connected...then the time came and I brought someone to meet you in Strathroy just the three of us had such a nice visit...in time I moved away again...remarried a good and caring man...then you got sick and you lost Trudy another hard time...then I called you everyday just to check in and we talked about alot of nothing but always we both said I love you when we going to hang up...then the nursing home that was hard but you quietly went along with it you told me you had no choice , I would call and leave messages that I was thinking about you and I loved you..Bill and I came to visit and met some friends you made, and you and Bill visited and liked one another and respected one another...you moved to a few different rooms...I didnt see you as much as I would like but did the best I could...this past year and even before was hard you weren't well for a long time,I called the hospital and the nurses were kind and told me how you were and I always left the same message I'm thinking about you and I love you..even when you were back at home still made the calls and left the same message...the Thursday before I called thats when I found out that you had covid and struggled for every breath you took...the nurses were kind and caring and a video that showed how hard you fought to live until your body could fight no more...I think about you and I will forever love you my dear brother....when you died it was like when mom did a part of me died to but a part of you will forever be in my heart..so on behalf of myself and my husband Bill,and my son Bill&Shaynne &family, and my son Bob&Amanda&family.
I love you my dear brother you lived you loved and you mattered...

Liz Zavitz

Jack was a stepfather to me and my younger sisters. He likely wouldn’t have defined himself that way because he only tried to be a quiet, supportive person. His laugh was contagious and he became known as “cackling Jack”. He was a simple guy who didn’t need much to keep him content. Gardens, tv, movies, beer and food. He was amazing at tuning out the drama of this loud girl gang. His presence behind the scenes will be sorely missed. Lots of love as you carry forward the messages to Mom and Uncle Al from the wild girl gang.

Sorry to hear about Jack. Will always remember the different times he boarded with Bob and I.
Barb McDonald

To the Family: We are saddened with the passing of Jack.