Thomas “Tom” A. Emslie, 72, of Lombard, died at 2:01 p.m. Monday, April 29, 2024 at his home after a brave battle with cancer. Per his wishes, cremation rites were accorded. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Brust Funeral Home in Lombard is assisting the family.
Mr. Emslie was born on Sept. 11, 1951 in Chicago, the son of the late Robert and Jermaine (Eaton) Emslie. He attended Elk Grove Village High School and was a star athlete on the baseball team, even earning a tryout with the New York Mets. He graduated in 1969. He married Ruth (Kessler) Coleman and they later divorced. He married Doris Hall on June 20, 1987, at the First Christian Church in Hillsboro and she survives.
Mr. Emslie worked for the Singer Company and branched out to begin his own successful sewing machine repair business, “Sew Master” in 1978. He repaired sewing machines throughout the Chicagoland area and suburbs for nearly 40 years before retiring in 2015.
An avid sports fan, Mr. Emslie played 16 inch softball for the Ironmen for years. He was also a long-time season ticket holder for the Chicago Bears and Chicago Blackhawks as well as being a long time White Sox and Bulls fan. In addition, he enjoyed NASCAR where he was a Jeff Gordon fan as well as a fan of Chase Elliott. He loved to travel to he and his wife’s favorite vacation destinations of St. John in the Virgin Islands and White Bay of the British Virgin Islands and enjoyed days at the beach and one of his favorite spots, Skinny Legs.
Mr. Emslie loved being on his deck with family and friends, enjoying music and making people laugh. His personality left an unforgettable impression on everyone he met and he will be so greatly missed by all who knew him. His quotes and one-liners were incredible and will live on forever. When he was there, a good time was always there as well.
In addition to his wife Doris of 36 years, he is survived by a son Daniel (Alicia) Emslie and granddaughter Sophia of McMinnville, OR; brothers Jim Emslie of Buckeye, AZ, and Bill (Kristen) Emslie of St. Charles; sisters Jayne (Mike) Ruck of Anthem, AZ, Diane Emslie of Phoenix, AZ; sisters-in-law Fern Burke, Gail (Mike) Sherer, and Janet (Kelvin) Stewart, all of Hillsboro as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Ricky and Bob, father-in-law Ted Hall and mother-in-law Margie Hall, and brother-in-law Gary Burke.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camden’s Crew, 570 McCords Trail Irving, lL 62051 or the Montgomery County Cancer Association. Condolences can be left at www.brustfuneralhome.com.
