Brian R. Emard

Brian Roger Emard aka "Kemo Sabe (Native Warrior)"October 29, 1953 - May 20, 2012"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." ~Abraham LincolnBrian Emard passed away on May 20, 2012, at his home in Wakefield, New Hampshire. He was 58 years old.He is survived by many who will love and miss him dearly: his wife aka "squaw," Janet and their three children Michael, Jessica, and Kristie; his daughter-in-law Melody and granddaughter, Skyla Kenai; his parents, Roger and Theresa Emard; his sisters, Janet Hamel and JoAnn Woodward; his mother-in-law, Lorraine Sevigny, along with over 30 in-laws and over 80 nieces and nephews. He also had many close friends who were cherished as family over the years.Brian attended the University of New Hampshire through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology, he went on to join the Air National Guard. He defended freedom and the country he so deeply loved in both Operation Desert Storm and Saudi Arabia. He retired from the Guard as Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years of service. He also flew commercially for Delta Airlines, Israel Air, and Korean Air. He loved being in the sky, flying with the eagles. Brian also loved the land, always preferring to be outdoors. Before his prestigious ranking as Captain of some of the most advanced aircraft in the world, his original dream was to become a park ranger. An avid and skilled hunter and fisherman, he possessed a passion and enthusiasm that he loved to share. His children joke that they were taught to pitch a tent and cast a pole before tying their shoes. After travelling to Anchorage as a pilot on several occasions with the Air National Guard in his early 20s, he made a quick habit out of annual fishing trips to Alaska, where he would include as many family and friends as possible. Eventually, Brian and his wife Janet turned his "retirement" dream into reality and opened a bed and breakfast in The Great Land. Together, they ran Anchor River Lodge for 5 successful years. Two years ago, Brian started his own fishing charter business, AK Salmon Charters, becoming not only the Captain of the Sky, but the Captain of the Sea.Brian left more than loving friends and family behind. He left a positive impact on the community at large. He not only coached his own children, he established a youth sports recreation league called Strafford Friends of Recreation, which children continue to enjoy the benefits of today. His passion for the environment was boundless. He could often be found cleaning the litter off not only his campsite and property, but off the sites and land of others. In Alaska, he spearheaded the development of a natural gas line in the Anchor Point community to improve energy efficiency and lower costs. He also made it a point to donate to environmental groups and preservation societies, further ensuring that the nature he cherished so much could be better enjoyed by everyone.Brian was an appreciative man who openly acknowledged that he couldn't have lived out his dreams without the unconditional love and support of his family and friends; especially his wife, Janet, who he loved and cherished for the 34 years they shared together. He was a devout Christian man who put family above all and he shared frequently that he could not have been more proud of all of them. They will always shine his light and continue the exceptional legacy that lives within them all.Brian was blessed and loved immensely, and the tremendous positive impact he had on hundreds of lives will live on through their hearts and souls ."And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." ~Paul McCartneyRelative and friends are invited to call on Thursday from 5 to 8 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 11:00 AM at the Notre Dame Church of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, 10 Payne Street, Springvale. Committal prayers and military honors will follow at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 83 Stanley Road, Springvale.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com.In lieu of flowers or gifts, it was Brian's wish that donations be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Jimmy Fund, an organization that was always close to his heart. There will be a collection box at his wake and mass or donations can be sent to Janet Emard, PO Box 816, Sanbornville, NH 03872.