CORNWALL, Ontario – Condolences are pouring in for a well-liked major junior hockey team owner who was also a pioneer in local broadcasting.
Paul Emard passed away Dec. 24 at his home. He was 78.
Emard made his mark in Cornwall as the owner of Tri-Co Broadcasting – which included city radio stations CJSS and Variety. The stations are now owned by Corus Entertainment.
Coun. David Murphy, who enjoyed a career in broadcasting, said Emard was one of a kind.
“He was one of the most caring individuals I ever met,” said Murphy. “Paul always asked how my wife and daughter were doing, even long after he was my boss.”
Murphy recalled a time when he had just started at the radio station, and was wondering about his new boss’ thoughts on his performance.
“They told me that if Paul bought you a Pepsi, then you knew that he liked you,” said Murphy. “I had been there a couple of months and was working on the weekend when he came in and asked how things were going.
“I said ‘Great Mr. Emard.” and he said ‘Call me Paul. Here, have a drink on me.'”
Chris Pandoff, president of Corus Radio also, expressed his sympathy.
“With the deepest regret we would like extend our condolences to the family of Mr. Emard,” he said.
Emard was the owner of the Cornwall Royals from 1969 to 1983, which included all three of their Memorial Cup championships. He was inducted into both the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Hall of Fame and the Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.
Emard was the husband of the late Thérèse Denise Marie (Morin) Emard. His children include Lise Emard, Anne-Marie Emard (Paul Vincent) both of Cornwall and Diane De Jesus (Pedro). He is also survived by his brother Louis Emard.
Emard was the son of the late Elzéar Emard and the late Lilianne Papineau.
Emard is resting at Lahaie and Sullivan Cornwall Funeral Home, East Branch, 614 First Street East from 1 p.m. Sunday. The funeral will be Monday, December 30, 2013 for Mass of Christian Burial in Nativity Co-Cathedral Church time to be confirmed.