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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 12, 2007 - 11 Pet store owner was well loved Russell Emmett's sincere smile and simple but genuine `How are you?' will endure in the memories of all who knew him. There is certainly no shortage of people willing to talk about the rare retailer who owned the Pet Valu in the Maple Grove Village Shopping Centre -- a store that was as much a thriving business as it was a social centre. Emmett died Monday (Sept. 10) of liver cancer. He was 49 years old. He leaves behind his wife Nancy and daughter Hailey. Terence Young met Emmett after he met his brother, Rik, in high school. Young dropped by the store every now and then to visit and was constantly amazed by the many customers who did the same. "He made everyone feel important, like they were his friends, people came in just because of Russell," said Young. His cancer was discovered in May 2006 and even though treatments left him weak and in pain, he would tell people he felt great to give them hope and to recharge their emotional batteries, said Brian Villemaire, a customer from the first day Emmett took ownership of the store 11 years ago. "I thought he should be put on Ritalin for all the energy he had ­ Russell had an uncanny knack, larity. It's likely Emmett continued working throughout his illness because he got as much from being with his customers as they did from him. Jill Wagener first met Emmett when he allowed her to post a sign on the store window, about her search for a missing cat. The cat was never found, but a new friendship between the two grew as a result, as it did with all of his customers. "He was a guy who never stopped smiling, said the smartest thing he did was marry his wife Nancy and was proud to bring in her baking at Christmas time, to share with customers," said Wagener. New-found friend Blayne Rockliffe accompanied Emmett on a dream trip to Buffalo, New York this past hockey season, to watch their favourite team, the Montreal Canadiens. Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean joined them and arranged for Emmett to meet the players of his well-loved team, especially cancer survivor Saku Koivu. "He took (Koivu's) wisdom to heart," said Rockliffe, "and I know it helped him to carry on as long as he did." The prognosis was six months, but Emmett's strength carried him one year longer. Grand Re-Opening September 15th Visit Our Russell Emmett too, for remembering the names of his two and four-legged customers," added Villemaire. Shortly after he bought the franchise, Kendra Northrup became his employee, working alongside Emmett for a decade. "He was my boss, my mentor and my friend. He taught me a strong work ethic, about loyalty and sacrifice. There will always be a special place in my heart for such a dear friend," said Northrup. Beth Cotton moved to Oakville two years ago and felt immediately welcomed to her new hometown because of Emmett's effervescent conversation. "He was a ray of sunshine who left a mark on your soul. He made everyone feel good about themselves," said Cotton. The stack of `Get Well' cards that grew ever higher over the months is testament to his popu- Completely Renovated Studio Come and experience a free spin class at 8:30, 10:00 or 11:00am Reserve Your Bike Today! 507 Speers Road, Oakville (905) 844-4044 www.cylefit.org Come join us Ride, Stride, Roll or Stroll for Autism Saturday, September 15, 2007 12 to 4 pm Bronte Creek Provincial Park THANK YOU OAKVILLE Best Stylist - Bob Richardson Come meet Angelo Mosca of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as he cuts the start ribbon! Best Hair Salon AS SEEN IN Supported by Cycle for Autism 2007 fun for everyone in association with... AIC and Berkshire Employees Association Maclachlan College American Women's Club Oakville Special Thanks to: A Cappella Showcase, Andrew Esp (Iron, Man for Autism), Blue Flame, Burlington Student Theatre, C. Schel Photography, Cogeco, East Burlington Venturer Company, Flynn Produce, Home Depot (Burlington), IBM Employees Charitable Foundation, Knights of Columbus Marian Council #3881, Neena Bharadwaj (Florence Meares PS Burlington), OPG Employees & Pensioners Charity Trust, Pay it Forward Project (C H Norton PS Burlington), Petro-Canada, RBC Foundation Employee Grant, Scared Heart of Jesus Catholic School Burlington, Sony Playstation, Theatre Burlington, Tim Hortons (Dundas & Neyagawa), United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton Charitable Registration Number: 11924 8789 R0001 For pledge sheets go to www.asohalton.org College Park Plaza, Oakville 905-338-6465