Dr. R. Bruce Emary, D.C.

Dr. Robert “Bruce” Emary was born on July 10, 1945 in Meaford, Ontario.  He showed an early interest in osteology and skeletal anatomy when, starting from a young age, would bring home skeletons of various animals he found while out hiking or fishing with his cousins around his family farm.  His first exposure to chiropractic care came after he injured his shoulder playing baseball at the age of 10 and was brought to the local chiropractor in Meaford by his mother, Doris Emary.  Bruce was apparently so impressed with the examination and treatments he received during his recovery that this sparked an interest in pursuing chiropractic as a future career.

Bruce was accepted into the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in 1964 and graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic, with honours, in 1968 – alongside other members of the final graduating class from the Bloor Street, downtown Toronto campus.  Other notable classmates included Dr. John A. Sweaney, Dr. James A. Carter, Dr. Stefan J. Pallister, and Bruce’s best man at his wedding, Dr. Peter M. W. Begg.

While residing in Toronto during his four years at CMCC, Bruce met Marilyn (“Marnie”) McPhee and they married in 1967.  After his graduation, they moved to the Preston area of Cambridge and bought a house where they converted the ground floor into a chiropractic clinic.  He practised in this location until moving to a larger clinic in 2001.  In this new location, Dr. Emary practised with his son, Dr. Peter C. Emary, and Dr. Heather Hay (CMCC class of ’01), where they built a multi-disciplinary chiropractic, massage, and naturopathic clinic, later named Parkway Back Clinic.  Bruce retired (after 42 years in clinical practice) in 2010.

Bruce was a previous member of the Waterloo Regional Chiropractic Society (WRCS), where his wife, Marilyn, also started up the Women’s Auxiliary of the WRCS.  Two years before his retirement, Bruce was recognized with an award for his 40 years of membership with the Ontario Chiropractic Association.  He had a successful, evidence-based clinical practice and was well-liked and respected by his chiropractic patients, fellow colleagues, and medical physicians in the Cambridge community.  He was named a Life Member of CMCC in 2018.  An avid fisherman, he also authored and published an article in the Ontario Out of Doors magazine (vol. 25, issue 6, pp. 37-40; July 1993), entitled “Angler’s elbow: Tips on how to prevent and ease elbow and wrist pain caused by fishing.”  He was a long-time member of the KWC (Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge) Bassmasters club and won several tournaments.  

Never one to attract attention to himself, he was quoted (one month before his passing) as saying that, “I’ve never accomplished anything spectacular in my life, but I’m content with the outcome. Having a beautiful and loving wife set the table for four boys that to this moment were always there for both of us. They and their wives continue to be such a blessing and encouragement for both of us. … I was fortunate to have a job that paid the bills and kept us comfortable, so what more can you ask for – family stability and financial security. … I’m so proud of my beautiful grandchildren, and great grandchildren. I know they will become, and already are, outstanding young people that will always honour, respect, and love their parents. I’m thankful to have also been raised in a Christian home and taught to love one another regardless of the situation.”

In addition to his love and pride for his family, Bruce had a good sense of humour and was famous among his family and friends for quoting the phrase, “Happy wife, happy life” at large family gatherings and other events.

He was a dedicated and loving husband to his wife, Marilyn, for nearly 58 years, as well as a proud father of his four sons, 15 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.  He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on June 16, 2025.  Bruce’s wife, sons, and extended family are grateful for the wonderful care and compassion provided to him by the medical staff in the palliative care unit at Waterloo Regional Health Network at Chicopee (formerly Freeport Hospital).