Galo P. Emerson

Galo Putnam Emerson, Jr., the longtime owner of Putnam Pantry Candies in Danvers, passed away on Father’s Day – June 16th – at the Kaplan Family Hospice House after a valiant battle with cancer.

Born in 1932 in Peabody, Massachusetts to Galo Putnam Emerson Sr. and Joanne Bresnahan, Galo “Wink” Emerson resided in his early years with the Manoogian family of Peabody – with whom he shared lifelong friendship. His adolescent years were spent largely in Northampton , Massachusetts where he attended Williston Academy – and enjoyed visiting with his Grandparents George Waldo and Mable Hood Emerson and his favorite uncle John “Jimmy” Emerson and aunt, Miriam Emerson Peters.

He returned to the Northshore for high school – living in the General Putnam Homestead in Danvers with his father and stepmother Martha. He attended Holten High School as a classmate of his future wife Sally Goldsmith, excelling in hockey and graduating in 1951.

After helping his father establish Putnam Pantry Candies in Danvers in 1951, he spent four years in the U.S. Navy on the USS Des Moines where he achieved the rank of Petty Officer SC, playing basketball for the 6th fleet team in the Mediterranean. Although he and Sally had been dating during his time in the Navy, imagine his surprise when a shipmate, reading the Danvers Herald that Wink had lent him, told him of his engagement and pending marriage to Sally! Since he had no objections, they were married in 1955 and over the next seven years were blessed with the arrival of Kim (’56), Wendy, (’57) Eric (’59) and Nathan (’62). After his honorable discharge he attended Merrimack College where he received his associates degree, and re-joined his father at Putnam Pantry, purchasing the business from him in 1965. Together he and Sally shared 32 years of marriage until her untimely death at the age of 54 in 1987. After an appearance in Norma Nathan’s Boston’s Most Eligible Bachelors in 1989, Galo began a whirlwind romance with Jo-Ann (Hollister) Wadsworth, marrying her in 1994 and remaining inseparable for nearly 27 years, until her passing in 2021.

With Sally and then Jo-Ann he guided the business for fifty years, providing employment, including almost uncountable first jobs, to thousands of Northshore residents before passing the business to his son Eric and his wife Cathie in 2014. Some of this time included parallel activities as a stockbroker and financial advisor.

During all these years he had extensive community involvement including time spent with the Essex County Tourist Council and as a Danvers town meeting member and chairman of the Danvers Finance Committee. He also served as President of the Danvers Rotary Club, following in his father’s footsteps.

Socially he was very active, and was involved in the formation of the Touchdown Club of Danvers with his lifetime friend, Victor Tremblay. He was also a founding member of the Hickory Dickory Docs ski club with Dr. Mal Connor and a coach of the championship Senior Little League Pirates with his friend Tom Banks.

He was instrumental in the Israel Putnam House being listed on the National Register in 1975 and the house’s return to the Putnam/Emerson family in 2021.He was very involved in the planning for restoration and adaptive re-use of the 1648 family homestead.

He and Sally and their children made lasting memories on Great East Lake in Maine and skiing at Mount Whittier in New Hampshire with the Tremblay, Connor, Banks and Appel families. He also was an avid and exceptional tennis player and developed lasting friendships at Bass River Tennis Club in Beverly.

Later he enjoyed time with Jo-Ann at her family’s retreat at Saquish on Cape Cod and her hometown of Pittsfield.

Galo was a lifelong learner, continuing his education and receiving both his bachelor’s and master’s degree (at the young age of 83) from Harvard University.

In his retirement he and his wife Jo-Ann divided their time between Danvers, Western Massachusetts and Palm Beach, Florida. They traveled extensively with their extended family and friends including trips to China and Europe. They were able to enjoy time with Jo-Ann’s children Robin and her wife Rita of Newton, MA, Wendy and her husband Phil Bryan of Dedham, MA, Karen and her husband Tony Rella of Dedham, MA and her son Barry and his wife Sandy of Pittsfield, MA.

In addition to Jo-ann’s children, Galo is survived by his children Kim Morris and her husband Arnie of Jackson, WY, Dr. Wendy Emerson of Topsfield, MA, Eric and Cathie Emerson of Danvers, MA and Nathan and Lindsay Emerson of Wilson, WY. He is predeceased by his son-in-law Timothy Martens. He also leaves his brothers Robert Lewis Emerson and his wife Margarita (Suarez) of Kent, Connecticut, John Endicott Emerson and his wife Jean (Steinberg)of Concord, North Carolina and David Putnam Emerson and his wife Mary (Bradley) of Franklin, Massachusetts, as well as 20 Grandchildren and 6 Great-grandchildren who he loved dearly, taking tremendous pride in their lives and accomplishments.

A Celebration of Life is planned for September 29th, 2024 on the ancestral family grounds behind Putnam Pantry at 255 Newbury Street, Danvers, MA. Specifics to be announced closer to the date. Donations can be made in Galo’s memory to The Kaplan Family Hospice House ℅ Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, Massachusetts 01923 or to the General Israel Putnam Homestead Trust, ℅ Putnam Pantry, Danvers, Massachusetts 01923 (by check only). Both are registered 501(c)(3) charities.