FRYEBURG — Dennis W. Emery, 85, of Fryeburg, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011.

He was born in Fryeburg in 1926 in a house on the Fryeburg/Lovell town line, to Bertrand Emery and Myrtie (Adams) Emery. He attended Fryeburg Academy and graduated in 1946. Soon after, he started working in a store in Lovell, beginning his long career as a retailer and storeowner. He married Janet Khoronen Emery after school and lived in Lovell, where they managed their grocery store until they moved to Fryeburg to buy what was to become Emery’s Red  & White Market. The small town grocery store and the man became a fixture of this community for 40 years. As the owner, Dennis would deliver groceries to many folks in town that were not able to do for themselves, even at a time when such a quaint custom was deemed not cost effective by any reasoned business models. Many lifelong employees and young high-school first-time job seekers alike have called him “boss,” but more importantly “friend.” Many considered him “dad.”

He loved serving the community and volunteering his time to it. He was a proud member of the Masons and relished any work he could do for them. He was a great supporter of Fryeburg Academy, many organizations and churches and committees — anything that promoted the betterment of his beloved town. His work was his love and his recreation. He liked to collect a few things.

Visiting hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18 at Wood Funeral Home, 9 Warren Street, Fryeburg. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. at the Congregational Church in Fryeburg followed a Masonic Service by Delta Lodge, Lovell. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, North Fryeburg.

After the service, a reception will follow at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fryeburg Academy, 745 Main Street, Fryeburg, ME 04037 or Fryeburg Recreation Department, Fryeburg 04037.

Arrangements are made with Wood Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org