Peter B. Emerick
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Published in May 2023
November 26, 1960 – May 12, 2023
Peter B. Emerick, a devoted husband, father, and community leader, passed away on May 12, 2023, in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, after a courageous battle with ALS with his family and friends by his side.
Born on November 26, 1960, in Milford, Peter was a lifelong resident of Uxbridge, where he dedicated his life to serving his community and preserving its rich history.
Peter is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Barbara J. (Brooks) Emerick, and their two sons, Benjamin F. Emerick and his wife Amanda of Foster, RI, and Samuel W. Emerick of Uxbridge. He was the proud grandfather of Theodore “Theo” Emerick and the beloved son of Mary (Buxton) Emerick and the late Benjamin P. Emerick. Peter is also survived by his siblings, Thomas Emerick and his wife Sharon of Uxbridge, Jonathan Emerick of Belfast, ME, and Karen Miller of Belfast, ME, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
A graduate of Worcester Boys Trade School in 1978, Peter went on to serve the Uxbridge community in various capacities. He was an Uxbridge Police Lieutenant with the Uxbridge Police Department, retiring in October 2015 after 29 years of service. He also served as the Director of Emergency Management, organizing a group of volunteers as the Citizen Emergency Response Team. Additionally, Peter was an Uxbridge firefighter for 20 years, rising to the rank of Assistant Chief. Later in his career, he worked for CWI Crane and Rigging and D.J. Salmon Lawn and Landscape as a snow and sand driver, both in Uxbridge.
Peter’s passion for history and fife and drum music was evident in his numerous accomplishments and contributions to local historical and musical organizations. As the director of a local corps of martial musicians, he performed military music from various historical eras, including the birth of the United States, 1820’s militia, Civil War, and Grand Army of the Republic. His performances extended to major motion pictures, TV commercials and History Channel programming, and he recorded several volumes of music, including fife and drum and 19th-century minstrelsy.
Active in his community, Peter was a member of the Historical Society, the Historical Commission, Uxbridge Charter Commission (three commissions), School Superintendent searches, High School Building Committee – Public Safety Representative, Uxbridge Bicentennial Commission (1974-1977), and lobbied for the State to adopt Capron Park and dedicate it to Effingham Capron.
Peter’s fife and drum musical groups included the Captain James Buxton Fife and Drum Corp, Uxbridge Fife and Drum, Sturbridge Martial Band, Camp Lincoln String Band, Canebrake Minstrels, Junior Drum Corp in Uxbridge as an instructor, A.A. Sherman Camp #18, Uxbridge Grenadiers, National Association of Civil War Field Musicians, Uxbridge G.A.R., and the 15th Massachusetts Regiment. He was also involved in several living history associations and museums, including the National Parks Service, United States Military Field Music School, and historical sites across the East Coast and as far west as Ohio.
As an associate of Old Sturbridge Village for many years, Peter worked with numerous junior corps and was a driving force behind the Old Sturbridge Academy Fife and Drum, which he helped organize and train. A lifelong advocate of veterans’ activities, he was involved with the VFW, American Legion, and the Sons of Union Veterans.
Peter enjoyed fishing at the “Camp,” researching his family ancestry, and playing and teaching fife and drum to people of all ages. Most of all, he cherished spending time with his family and friends. Peter was a selfless, thoughtful, and friendly individual, always putting others before himself.
Peter B. Emerick’s legacy will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and the community he served so passionately. His dedication to preserving history and enriching the lives of those around him will never be forgotten.
Visiting hours will be Thursday May 18, 2023 from 4 – 7 PM in the Buma Funeral Home, 101 N. Main Street, Rte. 122, Uxbridge.
A funeral service will be held from the funeral home on Friday May 19, 2023 at 10 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM in St. Mary’s Church, 77 Mendon Street, Uxbridge.
Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Granite St., Uxbridge.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Compassionate Care: https://ccals.org/donate.
