EMMONS: Francis A. , of 155 Pleasant St., St. Johnsbury, died Monday, July 30, 2001, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his family. He was born in St. Johnsbury, March 21, 1919, the son of Arthur and Pauline (Plante) Emmons. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II and was longtime quartermaster of VFW Post 793. Francis had a boundless and infectious energy. He served as St. Johnsbury selectman from 1981 to 1989. He was passionate about his involvement in the National Right to Life movement. A 1938 graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy, he was very supportive of alumni affairs. He had the distinction of being a charter member of the St. Johnsbury Jaycees. Francis was employed for 34 years with Ralston Purina Co. After retiring, he fulfilled his lifelong love of trains, becoming a consultant for the St. J and LC Railroad, and later conducting fall foliage tours, has a hobby, with Ted Chase and Archie Prevost. Francis was a Eucharistic minister at St. John the Evangelist Church and was a fourth degree knight at Sheridan Chapter 721, Knights of Columbus. He very much enjoyed his past nine winters in Puntagorda, Fla. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jeannette (Cote) Emmons of St. Johnsbury; and nine children, Peter Emmons and friend Bonnie Boardman of St. Johnsbury, Paul Emmons of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Theresa Jackman and husband Ralph of Port Charlotte, Fla., James Emmons and friend Joanne Martel of Danville, Cecile Montgomery and husband Doug of Lyndonville, Mark Emmons and partner Hal Parker of Newport, Bernadette Jordans of St. Johnsbury, Mary Welsh and husband Corey of Lyndonville, and Barbara Pease of Littleton, N.H. He was predeceased by an infant son, Francis Jr. Survivors also include 13 grandchildren; three great-grand-children; an aunt, Rita Roy of Newport; two sisters, Jeanette Albanese of Wilder, and Barbara Prevost of Austell, Ga.; a sister-in-law, Kaye Emmons of Simsbury, Conn.; a brother-in-law, Cuddy Dupuis of Puntagorda, Fla.; and cousins, nieces, nephews, and the Cote family. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Following the committal, family and friends will gather at the Elks home. Visiting hours will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home Friday afternoon and evening, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. An evening vigil service will conclude visiting hours around 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Good Shepherd Foundation, P.O. Box 384, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.