Obituary for Hugh James Embleton Emson
Hugh James Embleton Emson
In the early hours of Sunday, January 3, 2021, Hugh James Embleton Emson (Hank, Henry, Hen) lost his short battle with cancer, passing away in his sleep at the age of 82 in Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta.
Hank was born in Kesgrave, England, May 3,1938, the son of Air Marshall Sir Reginald and Lady Doreen Emson.
Hank was born in the tumultuous pre-WW2 era, the son of a military family. This left a lasting impression on his life. Hank was schooled at St Edward’s College in Oxford while his parents served the Empire around the world.
Looking to spread his wings, Hank went to Canada to serve in the RCAF with the 410 Squadron as a flying officer in an Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck from 1957-1962. While serving in the RCAF he met and married Yvonne Stehelin, a union producing four children, James, Michele, Andrew and Noel.
After his tour in the RCAF, Hank became involved in Canada’s fledgling commercial aviation industry working with Ward Air, Dan-Air, Trillium Air and then branched out on his own to many ventures in Canada and abroad, building several charter companies with people who would become lifelong friends.
Late in life, his entrepreneurial spirit took him back to the UK to establish the first Cash machine mobile business which became a great success, and as a result of his knowledge his nephew is still involved in this world. Even until his final moments he was thinking about the next creative idea; to the point where he was flying thunderbirds (Thunderbird airways from Vancouver to the Queen Charlotte islands 1992-96) out of Gibraltar again.
Hank had many adventures traveling and living in a multitude of countries. His last great adventure at the age of 78, brought him to Africa on safari with his dear sister and loving companion Sally, and six of her young grandchildren.
Hank loved sports and was particularly fond of cricket, golf, squash and rugby. Hank was also a lover of dogs especially his beloved Bull Terriers which he owned, bred and raised over the years. His final loyal companion Dougie, an Italian Water Dog, stayed in Spain to be cared for by Sally but, he is constantly looking for Hank to play fetch.
Hank is pre-deceased buy his mother and father and his sister, Biddy, and is survived by his siblings, Sally and Nicholas; children, James (Carolyn), Michele (Kevin), Andrew (Blanca) and Noel (Dawn). He left eight grandchildren, whom he loved dearly and was so proud of their respective achievements, Meaghan, Aimee, Graydon, Michael, Dennis, Oliver, Ethan and Isaac, and many nieces and nephews including Alexander, Sasha and Samantha Von Meister, Nick, Alys, James, and Isabel Emson, and Huw and Kate Williams. Hank was dearly loved by many great nieces and nephews who will also miss their great uncle Henry.
Hank’s love, charisma, and character touched many, many people. To quote a dear friend “he had a HEART, perhaps more than any man I’ve ever known.” In his dying days, he received messages from all corners of the globe and, over his month stay in hospital, he endeared himself to care staff, all checking as they left their shifts. Hank will leave a hole in the heart of too many people to count.
While Hank may have taken his final flight from earth, we know he is up there somewhere plotting his next, intergalactic airline business, undoubtedly with a lead in “prodigal fare”. Due to Covid-19, a Service cannot be held. The family plans to scatter Hank’s ashes under the tree in Holyport, England, where his parents, sister and four-legged companion, Emma, are laid to rest.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Hank, please visit www.choicememoiral.com.
In the early hours of Sunday, January 3, 2021, Hugh James Embleton Emson (Hank, Henry, Hen) lost his short battle with cancer, passing away in his sleep at the age of 82 in Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta.
Hank was born in Kesgrave, England, May 3,1938, the son of Air Marshall Sir Reginald and Lady Doreen Emson.
Hank was born in the tumultuous pre-WW2 era, the son of a military family. This left a lasting impression on his life. Hank was schooled at St Edward’s College in Oxford while his parents served the Empire around the world.
Looking to spread his wings, Hank went to Canada to serve in the RCAF with the 410 Squadron as a flying officer in an Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck from 1957-1962. While serving in the RCAF he met and married Yvonne Stehelin, a union producing four children, James, Michele, Andrew and Noel.
After his tour in the RCAF, Hank became involved in Canada’s fledgling commercial aviation industry working with Ward Air, Dan-Air, Trillium Air and then branched out on his own to many ventures in Canada and abroad, building several charter companies with people who would become lifelong friends.
Late in life, his entrepreneurial spirit took him back to the UK to establish the first Cash machine mobile business which became a great success, and as a result of his knowledge his nephew is still involved in this world. Even until his final moments he was thinking about the next creative idea; to the point where he was flying thunderbirds (Thunderbird airways from Vancouver to the Queen Charlotte islands 1992-96) out of Gibraltar again.
Hank had many adventures traveling and living in a multitude of countries. His last great adventure at the age of 78, brought him to Africa on safari with his dear sister and loving companion Sally, and six of her young grandchildren.
Hank loved sports and was particularly fond of cricket, golf, squash and rugby. Hank was also a lover of dogs especially his beloved Bull Terriers which he owned, bred and raised over the years. His final loyal companion Dougie, an Italian Water Dog, stayed in Spain to be cared for by Sally but, he is constantly looking for Hank to play fetch.
Hank is pre-deceased buy his mother and father and his sister, Biddy, and is survived by his siblings, Sally and Nicholas; children, James (Carolyn), Michele (Kevin), Andrew (Blanca) and Noel (Dawn). He left eight grandchildren, whom he loved dearly and was so proud of their respective achievements, Meaghan, Aimee, Graydon, Michael, Dennis, Oliver, Ethan and Isaac, and many nieces and nephews including Alexander, Sasha and Samantha Von Meister, Nick, Alys, James, and Isabel Emson, and Huw and Kate Williams. Hank was dearly loved by many great nieces and nephews who will also miss their great uncle Henry.
Hank’s love, charisma, and character touched many, many people. To quote a dear friend “he had a HEART, perhaps more than any man I’ve ever known.” In his dying days, he received messages from all corners of the globe and, over his month stay in hospital, he endeared himself to care staff, all checking as they left their shifts. Hank will leave a hole in the heart of too many people to count.
While Hank may have taken his final flight from earth, we know he is up there somewhere plotting his next, intergalactic airline business, undoubtedly with a lead in “prodigal fare”. Due to Covid-19, a Service cannot be held. The family plans to scatter Hank’s ashes under the tree in Holyport, England, where his parents, sister and four-legged companion, Emma, are laid to rest.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Hank, please visit www.choicememoiral.com.