William Franklin Emmons Jr., a 49-year resident of New Canaan, CT passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 3, 2025 in Charlotte, NC.
William Franklin Emmons Jr.
He was born in Belmont, MA on April 3, 1931, a son of William F. and Alice Grimes Emmons, and raised in Arlington, MA. Bill graduated Cum Laude from Boston College in 1953. He was a three sport, four year varsity letter winning athlete, playing hockey, football, and track. He received B.C’s highest student honor, the Edward H. Finnegan award, presented to the senior who best exemplifies the university’s motto “Ever to Excel.” He played in the first annual Beanpot Tournament, between B.C., Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern.
After graduating from college, Bill joined the United States Air Force as an Aviation Cadet, became a flight instructor, served 5 years, and retired as a captain. Following his service, during which time he met and married his beloved wife, Mary Ellen of 70 years, he joined IBM in Boston where he also flew F-86’s in the New Hampshire National Guard on weekends. He spent the first half of his professional career in the computer industry with IBM, Singer and Memorex, moving between California and Massachusetts. Bill moved to New Canaan, CT with his family in 1975 and started his own executive search business, Emmons Associates, consulting the computer industry for 25 years.
Bill is predeceased by son, Billy, his parents William and Alice Emmons and his brother, John Grimes Emmons. Bill is survived by his wife, four children and six grandchildren. Including his son David of Ashburn, Va., his daughter Catherine Kennedy (Shawn) and child, Shea of Charlotte, N.C., his daughter Cynthia Murray (Tom) and child, Raaff, of Mill Neck, N.Y., and son, John (Jennifer) and children John, Jr., Charles, Joseph and Scarlett of Washington, MI.
Bill always saw the glass half full. With a strong moral compass, he led his life as a gentleman and always found something good in everybody. He had a keen sense of right and wrong, a man of immense character and instilled that in his children every day. His family was his main focus. His time with his children and grandchildren was spent doing flash cards, playing chess and always challenging them to come up with their own solutions. They grew up hearing “any job worth doing is worth doing well” and “remember, you can always come home”.
Bill was passionate about hockey, he loved coaching hockey at the New Canaan Winter Club and maintaining the ice on the family backyard pond so all the neighbors could come to ice skate. He was a member of CERT and a volunteer Medicare counselor for over 15 years at the Lapham Senior Center. He also volunteered through the Red Cross at natural disaster zones across the country. He spent time in shelters assisting displaced families in New Orleans, LA following Hurricane Katrina and Cedar Rapids, IA following the Cedar River flood. Bill was a member of Woodway Country Club for 49 years where he served as President for a term and as Chairman of the Membership Committee. He always enjoyed a game of golf and a good cigar when his work was done. He was a long-standing member of St. Aloysius Church and in his later years he was often seen taking a walk on South Avenue or headed to the ‘Y’.
The family is planning a memorial to honor his life and legacy this summer.
Bill was a gentleman and if needed always willing to help. His time was your time.He is missed but with nice memories of “Bill the Person”.
Bob Fitz