John James Emma, Sr.

John J. Emma, Sr., 88 passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 28, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Patricia A. (McGurn) Emma and devoted father of John J. Emma, Jr.

Born in Providence, he was the son of the late John A. and Concetta (Croce) Emma.

John was employed by Paramount Restaurant Supplies from 1960 to 1968. He was also a member of the band, “The Blue Jays” from 1957 to 1970, and they later changed their name to “White Water” which performed from 1971 to 1976. In 1970, the band ran the night club, The Spectrum, in Pawtucket and played in other various local nightclubs until their retirement in 1976. The remaining three from the band invested and bought The Lighthouse Night Club in Old Orchard, Maine until 1994. In 1974, John, along with his wife Patricia, owned and operated Flowers by Patricia, retiring in 2005. He was also a member and treasurer of many social clubs in Providence, including the 828 Club.

He was a man who loved his family and friends deeply.

A gifted athlete, as a freshman in Central High School, he started in center field making All State on the varsity baseball team. He also played football for the Charles Street Team, starring as wide receiver. He had exceptional speed and good hands. After high school John enlisted in the Army and was always proud that he boxed and won the boxing title for his unit.

He was always a sharp dresser and always happy and smiling, until unfortunately most recently he wanted to be alone because he couldn’t be the person he was with everything failing him.

Among his musical accomplishments, he was always proud to say that his band, while recording in New York at Map City Records, played at Kool’s wedding, the lead singer of Kool and the Gang as they got their start recording together.

In 1971, the band went out to California and recorded at RCA Recording Studio and cut the album, “Out of the Darkness”. As the band added a dynamic trumpet player, Paul Phillips, the band became even better under the name White Water. They also played in concert in New York City in 1970, with Jefferson Airplane and Ten Wheel Drive.

If you knew Johnny, his favorite saying was “worry about nothing,” which he did right up til the end.

He was the brother of Eleanor Golato and her husband Albert and the late Dorothy Rossetti.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM in the PONTARELLI-MARINO FUNERAL HOME, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence. His funeral will be the following day, Friday, September 5, 2025 beginning at 9:30 AM in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in St. Anthony Church, 1413 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence. Graveside burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in John’s memory to Hope Health Hospice, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904 or St. Anthony Memorial Fund, 5 Gibbs Street, North Providence, RI 02904.

For online condolences, please visit www.pontarellimarinofunerals.com