Norman L. Emery's Obituary
Norman Lawrence Emery was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1923. He immigrated to the United States with his family as a young boy and would settle in San Diego, California. He attended and graduated from San Diego High School before joining the U.S. Army in 1943. He served with the 389th Anti-Aircraft Battalion, General Mac Arthur’s Army of the South Pacific, on the island of Morotai . His unit, along with others, was responsible for guarding a small, but crucial airstrip. More than 80 bombing raids were carried out by the Imperial forces of Japan against Morotai Island. His Anti-Aircraft unit was credited with at least three Japanese aircraft being destroyed. Following World War II, he returned to San Diego and opened his own business with his brother Milton in 1946, Diesel Electric Exchange. He met the love of his life, Alice Merino, in 1946. They married in 1948 and would raise four children together. In 1966, he moved to El Cajon where he lived for 48 years. He worked at Diesel Electric Exchange until 1984 when he retired. He was a “master tinkerer” who could fix just about anything. He will be fondly remembered by his family for his tall tales, silver dollar pancakes and serving as the “voice” of Santa Claus at Christmas. He is survived by his wife, Alice; children, Estelle, Tony, Steve and Jane; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He will be missed, but never forgotten.In lieu of flowers, the family asks for a memorial donation be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, San Diego Chapter.
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