Emmet R. Millett
Respected Dad, Proud Grampa
TEWKSBURY: Emmet R. Millett, age 93, a well-known, lifelong Tewksbury resident, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, December 31, 2021.
He was the beloved husband of 51 years to the late Mary I. (Kennedy) Millett, R.N., the love of his life, who passed away on September 9, 2004.
Born in Tewksbury on November 19, 1928, Emmet was the son of the late William R. Millett and the late Margaret (Fitzgerald) Millett.
He attended Tewksbury schools and graduated from Tewksbury High School in 1947. During his high school years, he was a member of the baseball, basketball and football teams. He was voted to the All-Suburban Football Team his senior year.
As a young man, he delivered oil for MacLellan Oil, helped stack and deliver ice from the block house that was located at Long Pond and worked for his Uncle Harold at the Patten Greenhouse Company on North Street in Tewksbury which was one of New England’s largest growers of carnations before starting a long career at the Tewksbury Hospital.
In 1951, Emmet enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War Era.
Following his honorable discharge from active duty, he returned to work at the Tewksbury Hospital where he worked for over 40 years retiring as a Locksmith in 1988. During his working years, he developed many lifelong friendships with the patients, his co-workers, and the Hospital administrators.
He was a life member of the Tewksbury American Legion #259, a charter member of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks #2070 and a member of the former Tewksbury Veterans Association (TVA).
Emmet enjoyed taking daily walks around his neighborhood and greeting his neighbors and passersby with a wave and a Big Hello. In addition, he loved telling stories about growing up in Tewksbury and of his family. Emmet also enjoyed taking photographs and videos as well as having his picture taken. More than anything, he enjoyed being “Grampa Millett”. He always wanted to spend his final years at his home, and with some help from his granddaughter Molly proudly did.
Emmet was the father of the late Mary Jo Field and her surviving husband Steve, Grampa to her children Lucy (MacRae) Brassard and her husband Ryan, Mary Ellen MacRae and her fiancé Donald Tatarka; Emmet R. Millett, Jr. and his wife Laurel (Sykes), their children Evan and his wife Lindsey, Emily, Hillary and Molly; John F. Millett and his son Michael; and Martha A. Vaughn and her husband Dave, their children Shelby and Mathew. Great Grandfather of Erich and Riley Brassard, and Braeden Millett. His sisters-in-law Jessie Kennedy and Josephine Karner and former son-in-law, Peter MacRae. He was predeceased by his brother Frederick R. Millett, Sr. and his wife Edith, his sister, Martha Queena Kelleher and her husband Ray, sisters-in-law of Theresa L. York, Kathryn Martino and Anne Brooks. He leaves many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was a proud veteran and always said “I hope I don’t live long enough to see the Chinese flag fly over the White House.”
Calling hours are Friday, Jan. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury, immediately followed by his funeral service to be held in the funeral home. Pastoral services scheduled to begin at 1pm will be on Zoom. Services will conclude at Tewksbury Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to the Tewksbury Hospital Patients Fund, 365 East St., Tewksbury, MA 01876.
Zoom link: Meeting ID 881 5812 4769
Passcode: 846970