Emery Myles Fanjoy, BSc, DIC, LLD (honorary)
On May 3rd, 2020, Emery Myles Fanjoy (85) passed away peacefully while holding his daughter’s hand and listening to La Bohème. Emery was born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick -- the eldest son of Newton and Muriel (née Seely) Fanjoy. He is survived by three children: Stephen (Dawn), Bruce (Donna), and Andrea (David); six grandchildren: Laura (Angel), Sarah, Adrienne, Marcel, Benjamin, and Ryan; and three great-grandchildren: Loren, Alma, and Mayte. Emery is also survived by his brother Paul (Jill), and was predeceased by his brother Harold (Marilyn). Emery was also predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Nan (née Burgess) Fanjoy, with whom he will soon be reunited in Fernhill Cemetery in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Emery graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 1957 with a B.Sc. (Electrical Engineering). He was awarded an Athlone Fellowship and completed a postgraduate diploma from Imperial College in London, England (1958-60). Emery’s career began as an engineer with NB Telephone (1957-58), Canadian General Electric (1960-64), and IBM (1964-73). In 1973 Emery embarked on a distinguished career in public service. Emery served as Secretary to the Treasury Board of the Province of New Brunswick (1973-77), Secretary to the Council of Maritime Premiers (1977-95), Co-secretary of the Conference of New England Governors & Eastern Canadian Premiers (1978-95), and Secretary to the Conference of Atlantic Premiers (1990-95). Emery was a member of the Advisory Board of the School of Public Administration, Dalhousie University and served as its Chair from 1983-85. In 1991, Emery was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of New Brunswick. He was also awarded the Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal for Excellence in Public Administration from the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC). After his retirement in 1995, Emery was appointed an Adjunct Professor of the School of Public Administration of Dalhousie University -- a role in which he served for many years.
Emery pursued a lifelong interest in family history. He traced the Fanjoy family history back as far as 17th century France. France led to England, which led to the American colonies/United States and then to William Fanjoy, a Loyalist, arriving in Saint John. We know this and countless other details of the family thanks to Emery.
One of Emery’s greatest accomplishments was the phenomenal care he gave his wife Nan in her later years. It was a role that Emery embraced with characteristic enthusiasm, curiosity, and above all, love.
Emery valued the work of local charitable organizations, particularly the United Way and the Ostomy Halifax Society, and he contributed his energy to them generously.
The family would like to thank Dr. Gina Burgess of Halifax, as well as the staff of Manotick Place Retirement Community, Queensway Carleton Hospital, and Elizabeth Bruyère Hospital in Ottawa for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations in Emery’s memory to Ostomy Halifax Society, the United Way, or a charity of your choice. Celebrations of Emery’s life will take place in Halifax and Saint John, on dates yet to be determined. For messages of condolence please visit www.beechwoodottawa.ca.
Digital Guestbook
Alan Hart
Norman and Violette Corcoran
The first time we met Emery was at the "Fanjoy" family reunion in New Brunswick. Since that time Emery and Nan traveled several times to Berlin, NH to visit with Leah Fanjoy Corcoran and her family. We were fortunate that when we moved to Arizona, Emery and Nan were there (it was to be their last time in AZ) and we were able to visit with them. Our prayers and sympathies to the family.
James A. (Skip) Talbot
Emery was a dear friend of mine. We both grew up in Saint John, NB. And we attended Saint John Vocational together. It was there that we got our first background in telecommunications and electronics. Emery was an outstanding, brilliant individual and a wonderful human being. It was an honor to have know him and have him for a lifetime friend. My love, prayers and deepest sympathies go out to all remaining members of his family. I'll never forget Emery!
Derek W. Jones
I have known Emery ever since he was at his wife Nan's side in the hospital in Halifax. My wife Joy was in the same ward in the next bed recovering from stroke. We eventually sold our house of 40 years and moved into the same apartment building. I visited Emery and his wife Nan. I saw Emery often during the next two years. During the recent period of self isolation that we undertook, I often wondered how he was. I was so very shocked and saddened to read of his death in the newspaper. My wife and my own condolences to his family, so very sad.
Keith Sullivan
I worked with Emery when I was a professor at Dalhousie University and when we both retired I had some great rounds of golf with him. He was always a gentleman, very professional in his work and fun during a round of golf. Sorry to hear about his death - I will miss him.
Robert Corbett
To Paul and Family;
I was so saddened to learn Friday of the passing of Emery. I would like to pass on my sincerest condolences to the entire Family.
I had known Emery since my days as a young boy crawling through the fence separating King George School from the back of the Fanjoy residence on Alexandra Street where I would frequently visit with my boyhood chum, Paul. It was never difficult to know if Emery was at home as he played the trombone and, as with everything else he did, with great enthusiasm. Emery was of course the big brother to Paul and Hayhay and as such, much respected. Because of his efficacious smile, which matched his personality, and despite his “big brother” presence, Emery was always held in some awe, and particularly so when he played his trombone!
Although I don’t know that he took much interest in his brother Paul’s garden, we all cherished his company in our summertime playground at Epworth Park where we collectively shared memories that are worthy of several volumes.
As we know, Emery went on to great accomplishments in his private but particularly in his public life. As an MLA and later an MP in New Brunswick, I occasionally saw him and frequently heard about him from the perspective of his much sought-after presence and council in the Premier’s office and in other courts of high influence.
Throughout I knew Emery to be a wonderful Family man, an excellent father and always a devouted husband. I know he will be greatly missed by Family and friends alike. Again, my deepest sympathy. Sincerely, Robert Corbett
Mildred Gregory
Deepest Condolences to the Family on your great loss. Emery and Nan were fellow Graduates from S.J. Vocational School Class of ‘54 and we were always very proud of the outstanding career(s) Emery had forged during his lifetime but never forgetting his Saint John ties.
Special thoughts to Paul & Jill.
John Watson
Sorry to learn of Emery's passing and wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the family ... Emery was a great source of information and help with my Watson family research and our connection to the Fanjoy family whom my gramp so loved his Fanjoy family connection that comes through his mother, Esther Jane Fanjoy and proud to say the rest of my family most certainly share gramps love of the Fanjoy side of our family ...
Janice Henderson
Steven, Bruce, Andrea:
It was sad to hear of your father's passing. I worked for a number of years as his executive assistant at the Council of Maritime Premiers. He was demanding but you had no doubt what was expected of you. If he gave you a "good job" comment, it was certainly deserved. He was a man of integrity and was committed to the concept of regional cooperation. Staff referred to him as the Godfather of the Council. Sincere condolences to you and your families.
SJVS Alumni Assoc
To the family of Emery M. Fanjoy;
On behalf of the executive and membership of Saint John Vocational Alumni Association, I send most sincere sympathy in the loss of your dear father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as your traverse this most difficult path on the road of life, made even more difficult during this Corona virus and isolating/distancing time. Cherish the many memories you have each shared with him and hold them close. The Fanjoy name was and is a greatly respected name from the Saint John Vocational School days.
Sincerely;
Louise Jonah-Craine ('62)
Alumni Liaison
Went to Vocational School Technical classes with Emery. Graduated with him in '51, and had no contact since. He certainly did a lot in his lifetime. It seems the only way to connect is weddings and death notices. My sympathies to the Family.