South Shore YMCA benefactor Herb Emilson dies 2 days short of 95th birthday

HANOVER − The South Shore YMCA community is mourning the loss of Herb Emilson, a "beloved friend and steadfast supporter" whose generosity to the Y has enriched the lives of thousands of families throughout the South Shore.

Emilson, of Marshfield, died Monday, two days shy of his 95th birthday, the South Shore Y said in a statement. Visiting hours will be held Monday, Jan. 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Sullivan Funeral Homes, 551 Washington St., Hanover. A funeral home service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Couch Cemetery in North Marshfield.

After his funeral services, his family will hold a reception at the South Shore YMCA Laura’s Center for the Arts at 97 Mill St., Hanover, on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.

Emilson was born Jan. 24, 1929, and in 2019 he celebrated his 90th birthday with his wife, Pauline, who was known as Paulie, at Laura's Center for the Arts. She turned 90 the following month. Pauline Emilson died at age 93 in August 2022.

"Carl H. Emilson was a man lovingly devoted to his wife of over 70 years, Pauline Emilson, to his family, his friends, and his community," the Y statement said. "He had a sharp mind for business and was a trusted mentor and advisor to hundreds who sought his guidance and wisdom."

Emilson joined the Colonial Group, a mutual fund company in Boston, in 1981, became co-owner and served as vice president, president and chairman. He retired in 1995 when the company was purchased.

He made his fortune in the Boston mutual fund business of the 1980s and early '90s. One of the stars of that world − Peter Lynch, a former fund manager at Fidelity Investments − was at his 90th birthday party to honor him.

"Herb and Paulie are the best," Lynch said after the buffet luncheon.

After Emilson retired, he and Paulie turned their attention to philanthropy, "which became a passion," the Y statement said.

"Impactful giving has been the drumbeat to which Herb and Paulie Emilson have marched ever since," it said.

'Every community deserves a YMCA'

In 1991, they began giving to the South Shore Y, and the relationship blossomed.

"In their quest to find meaningful ways to give back to their community, a charity that grew near and dear to their hearts was the South Shore YMCA," the Y said.

The South Shore Y referred to a statement Emilson once made that “a YMCA in the community says a lot about the people who live there. It demonstrates wholesomeness, concern and caring for families and children. Every community deserves a YMCA.”

At his 90th birthday party, Emilson offered his perspective on aging. The view from 90 is "not so bad," he told guests.

With a turnout of more than 100 people − described as a "Who's Who of the South Shore" by former state lawmaker Jim Cantwell − the party thrown by the South Shore YMCA at Laura's Center for the Arts was a festive occasion.

The arts center, named after the Emilson's late daughter Laura Reikert, is on the campus of the Emilson Y.

Love at first sight at a bowling alley

The Emilsons gave millions over the years to dozens of South Shore organizations.

Besides the South Shore YMCA in Quincy and Hanover, they supported South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, where the new emergency and maternity wing was named the Emilson Wing in 1997, and the Marshfield Boys and Girls Club. The Emilsons have also donated conservation land in Marshfield and Pembroke.

A short timeline of Herb Emilson's long and accomplished life

C. Herbert Emilson grew up in Quincy, Pauline Gordon in Hingham.

At their 90th birthday celebration, Herb Emilson shared some personal details about his marriage. He described how he met his wife in a bowling alley and decided "within 30 seconds" he would marry her, which he did six years later, after serving in the Marines.

"It has been a joyful experience − we are still romantic about the things we've done," he said. "I am particularly pleased with my wife's total agreement in what we've done. She's my strength."

They didn't have a bucket list, he said, because they had done so much.

As for their philanthropic work, he said, "I'm ready to go again, but I don't think my body is, running around and making speeches ...  but who could have a better second career than helping others? We wanted to give back. ... I'm not sure we reached down far enough to really find the poor, but I am pleased with our last 30 years."

The Y said he served on the committee to expand the South Shore YMCA by adding a new Y in the Hanover area to the single Quincy Y location.

"The committee elected to acquire the Mill Pond Tennis Club in Hanover, and Herb led the way to fund the capital campaign for the project. The South Shore YMCA at Mill Pond opened on November 1, 1998. The branch was officially dedicated and named The Emilson YMCA in February 2013 to honor the Emilson family."

In 2011, the Emilsons lost their daughter Laura Emilson Reikert at age 55, and the family made a major donation to build a new arts pavilion, which is now Laura’s Center for the Arts.

'Generous beyond measure'

"Herb Emilson’s impact, intellect and generosity can be experienced across all aspects of our Y," the statement said. "He was a key player in the merger of the South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell with the South Shore YMCA Hanover Branch, and the Emilsons have supported the expansion of the Y’s Camp Burgess and Hayward overnight camps on Cape Cod."

“The South Shore YMCA would not exist today without many key supporters, which includes the Emilsons,” said South Shore YMCA President and CEO Paul Gorman.

“Herb was a dear friend, a loving family man and a brilliant businessman. He was generous beyond measure. He loved giving back to the community, and the bond between the Emilson family and our Y family is one that will never be broken. I will miss this great man deeply, and I know countless others will too. The South Shore has truly lost the patriarch of our community.”

The South Shore YMCA also expressed its condolences to Emilson's children and their spouses: Karen McArdle and her husband, Douglas; Carl G. Emilson and his wife, Terrie; and David P. Emilson and his wife, Lynda.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: South Shore philanthropist Herb Emilson dies at 95; services Tuesday