Anthony John Emerald

3/27/35-12/27/19

John Emerald passed away on December 27, 2019 after a 2 ½ year battle with cancer.  He is survived by his sister, Susan Starr, son, Jon Emerald and wife Renata, his daughter Pam Malley, his grandchildren, Connor Malley, Jordan Emerald, Brynna Malley, Sienna Emerald and Eva Emerald, and several loved nieces, nephews and friends.  Our dad was an amazing man.  Early in his career, he worked as manager in hospital laboratories, then moved up to administration and eventually was founder and CEO of several companies including Bee-Mac Reference Labs, The Lab Store, and The College of Health Professions.  John's professional accomplishments were not, however, his greatest achievements.  Above all else, John was a devoted father, grandfather, uncle and friend.  As a child, he helped to support his family working a paper route and maintained very close relationships with his sisters throughout his lifetime.  He attended every wedding, funeral, and family event, regardless of his personal circumstances.  Even after he divorced, he took great care of the mother of his children, Ellen Emerald, and he always looked closely after his best friend, Steve Kottwitz.  He loved his family and friends and always did whatever he could to make sure their needs were met.  As a father, he taught us life lessons that were truly important.  He taught us to work hard and never call in sick unless necessary.   He taught us that an education is the only thing that nobody can ever take away from you, so get it and learn everything you can.  He taught us that you only get what you deserve, so work hard to earn your keep.  In the end, he taught us most about living and dying.  When he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, we wanted to give up.  Instead, he was on the phone making repairs to his rental homes and doing business as usual. Dying was not going to stop him from living.  He kept going.  He taught us that nobody but God tells you when you are dying, so keep living until He calls you.  Dad had credentials and degrees that in the end were not important.  In the end, what was important was that he taught his children and grandchildren how to live and that he loved God. He was an amazing man and God is well aware of the talented angel he recently acquired.  Rest in peace John…your children, family and friends will always love you dearly and look forward to seeing you in Heaven.  Your life was full of purpose and you meant the world to all of us who loved you.