Rosemont, Ill.—It is with great sadness the National Roofing Contractors Association announces the passing of board member John Embow, president of Grove Roofing Services, Buffalo, N.Y., on Aug. 20. He was 51.
After graduating from Villanova University, Villanova, Pa., in 1994, Embow initially worked in the technology industry in the Bay Area. He returned to Buffalo to join his family’s business, Grove Roofing Services, and ultimately succeeded his father as president of the company.
Embow served multiple terms on NRCA’s Executive Committee and NRCA’s board of directors, as well as many NRCA committees, including the Global Advisory Committee, Health and Safety Committee, Insurance Board of Governors, NRCA University Operations Committee and PROCertification Oversight Committee. He also served as the chair of NRCA’s International Relations Committee for more than a decade.
Additionally, Embow was involved with the Roofing Alliance, serving on committees such as the Roofing Alliance Finance Committee, Roofing Alliance Heat Stress Conditions and Awareness for Roofing Workers Task Force, and Mississippi State Virtual Reality Task Force. He also was involved with the National Roofing Legal Resource Center and served as president from 2018-19.
Embow had an enormous heart and was focused on giving back to his community as a supporter of the Erie County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in West Seneca, N.Y.
Embow is survived by his wife, Margaret “Peggy” McCarthy; daughter, Evelyn “Evie,” and son, Elliot; sister, Alison (Chris Liang) Embow; brother, Jeff (Abby) Embow; father, Robert Embow; mother, Andrea Embow; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests tax-deductible charitable donations be directed to the Himalayan Children’s Fund at himalayanchildrensfund.org, Erie County SPCA at yourspca.org or the National Alliance on Mental Illness at nami.org. Condolences may be shared online at amigone.com .
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Since 1886, the National Roofing Contractors Association has been the home for generations of entrepreneurial craftsmen and enterprises who shelter and protect America’s families and businesses and each other. Our vision is the recognition of oaur members as professionals and to unite the industry to that purpose. NRCA is one of the construction industry’s most respected trade associations and the voice of roofing professionals and leading authority in the roofing industry for information, education, technology and advocacy. It represents all segments of the roofing industry, including contractors; manufacturers; distributors; architects; consultants; engineers; building owners; and city, state and government agencies. For information about NRCA and its services and offerings, visit nrca.net.